The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel Book Review written by Dan Santat

 

Written and Illustrated by Dan Santat

Published by Graphix in 2022

ISBN: 978-0545497602

Plot Summary: The book begins with a ship sinking and someone's brother dies. 4 different sea animals which are a octopus, hermit crab, blanket octopus, and a sea turtle take the diving suit of the man and convert it so that they can start walking on land. They end up finding aqualand by reading the man's journal whose name is Michael. Aqualand is the man's aquarium land kind of like sea world. The animals steer the diving suit and meet the man's daughter named Sophia. They go on a series of adventures and hijinks before they are able to return to the sea. They help the marine creatures that are in aqualand escape as well. The story shows that with a little ingenuity and luck, anyone can accomplish anything they set their minds to. 

Critical Analysis: This book was very silly but was perfect for the reader who just wants to be entertained by a series of escapades and fun adventures. The author does a good job of weaving a tale that makes it easy to read and the theme of taking care of others is very prevalent. Sophia has to decide if she wants to follow in her dad's footsteps or go against what her uncle is wanting to do with aqualand. THe illustrations are excellent and add a light undertone to the book as you can to see the silliness that coincides with having 4 animals try and fit in one suit. Overall, I would highly recommend this graphic novel for anyone who needs a little bit of silliness, lightheartedness, and also some drama thrown into their lives. 

Review: Kirkus Book Reviews

A crew of intrepid marine creatures rig up an antique diving suit to explore space, the final frontier—otherwise known as San Diego.

The plot may be a messy tangle, but the art in this graphic tale is something special. Several years after the research vessel Miette went down in a storm, taking Paul Revoy’s brother, Michel, with it, the marine biologist and his orphaned niece, Sophia, are amazed when Michel’s deep-sea diving suit walks out of the ocean—piloted by a hermit crab named Sodapop for its recycled shell, with help from octopuses Antonio and Carlos and sea turtle Jobim. Ensuing events, which include a science fair, tricking a greedy theme park investor, and pulling off a rescue of captive animals ranging from baby sea turtles to a full-size orca and a colossal squid, come off as marginally linked set pieces. Still, in hilarious views of the suit disguised in human clothing amid oblivious bystanders, in panels depicting frantic scrambles and haunting deep-water scenes, and most of all in images of people and only slightly anthropomorphized marine species caught in moments of wonder, grief, sadness, comical astonishment, or fierce determination, Santat’s vividly expressive visuals are, even more than usual, riveting. The Revoys have tan skin and dark hair; human figures in background scenes are racially diverse.

Connections: Students can do more research into aquariums and how they protect sea life but can also exploit it like in the movie Blackfish where we learn about the mistreatment of the Orca whales. Students can then make a project that has them advocating for something that they feel passionate about. 

More Books by Dan Santat 

A First Time for Everything ISBN: 978-1626724150

Sidekicks: A Graphic Novel ISBN: 978-0439298193


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