“Hey! No — over here in the water. It’s us, the friendly creatures of the sea.

“You’ve sent us so many messages over the years, although we’re not sure we understand the really oily ones. We think they might be cries for help? So we’ve been putting our heads, front segments, decentralized neurons, etc., together, and now we have a message for YOU.”

That message? “So we wanted you to know if you’re ever inspired to sink back into the sea’s watery depths, we’re here to welcome you with open tentacles and gaping mouths.”

Author Cara Giamo has packed this amusing book with some of the strangest of sea creatures, some from every level of the ocean, from surface to the darkest depths. And Vlad Stankovic’s illustrations do justice to the words — which is saying a lot! Leaving the Ocean Was a Mistake: Life Lessons from Sixty Sea Creatures will be the perfect gift for that middle-grade science- and/or animal-lover. Or for science- and/or animal-loving adults! Five big Brisingidae starfish!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Quirk Books in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful, beautiful, and informative book covering 60 fascinating sea creatures from the surface to the abyss. As an ocean and ocean-creature enthusiast, I loved this book. I found the illustrations gorgeous and adorable. Each creature comes with a snippet of advice based on an interesting fact about them. I was excited to be introduced to multiple creatures I'd never heard of before, such as the Pom-Pom Crab, the By-The-Wind Sailor, the Sea Elephant, and many more!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the ocean and wants to check out a lighthearted, fast read. This would be a great coffee table book.
Thank you to Cara Giaimo and Quirk Books via Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so cute. I learned a lot about various types of fish and got some... interesting (but humorous!) advice as well. I am now both obsessed and haunted by the sarcastic fringehead because of this book.

Thank you to Cara Giaimo, Quirk Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is stunning and so encouraging! I love how relatable these sea creatures are, especially the gloomy octopus (for me, at least!). Learning about all of these sea creatures was so fun. The illustrations are incredible! My favorite was absolutely the leaf sheep - how stinking cute! Informative, gorgeously illustrated, and relatable... what more could you want?!

a fun, informative, beautifully illustrated picture book that comes across like a chat with a friend. featuring wisdom and advice from interesting ocean creatures at all five levels of the ocean.