Hardcover, Full Color, 8.5”x11” (Landscape), 48 pages including 16 pages of science facts

Suggested age level: Grades K - 3

ISBN 978-0-9726487-0-7

JEWELS OF THE SEA… The Hunt For Floating Treasure, tells the magical tale of Amy and Bart who go on a treasure hunt with their Grandfather. The second half of the book is packed with leading-edge science – all about diatoms… nicknamed the ‘jewels of the sea’ because of their breathtaking beauty. Diatoms are also priceless for what they do for life on earth. JEWELS OF THE SEA… The Hunt For Floating Treasure will capture the imagination of readers of all ages and inspire curiosity of the natural world.

Recommended for grades K-3, the 48-page picture book features Betsy's whimsical art combined with photographs by microscopist Wim Van Egmond and biologist Darlyne Murawski. 

Wait! There's more, much more! Jewels of the Sea... The Hunt for Floating Treasure contains lots of really cool facts about diatoms, including, how parts of diatoms were used in building the pyramids and most importantly, how diatoms produce 25% of the oxygen we breathe! 

CHOSEN BY KIRKUS MAGAZINE AS ONE OF ITS “GREAT INDIE BOOKS WORTH DISCOVERING”

“The world’s oceans and freshwater environments teem with beneficial microscopic organisms called diatoms. In Franco-Feeney’s well-conceived work, sure to spark a sense of discovery, grade school–age readers are introduced to these creatures and to the essential roles they play in the aquatic food chain, medicine, biomedical research, industry, and the very health of the planet.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Jewels of the Sea does a phenomenal job of taking the microscopic world of diatoms to a macroscopic scale, giving readers an appreciation for their beauty and significance. The combination of imagination and reality takes us on an unforgettable treasure hunt. Come get immersed in this delightful exploration!”

– Shelly Wu, Science Ediucator, K-12, Texas Christian University

“I think this book does a wonderful job of explaining what diatoms are and why they are important in common English. This is a difficult thing to do without getting details wrong or misleading.
It is a true gift to be able to do that. I think books like this are especially important as children increasingly have so few chances to experience nature fifirst hand. The artwork is amazing (and accurate as well) and does a great job of interpreting the diversity of diatoms. I look forward to the actual invention of microgoggles!”

– Dr. Edward C Theriot, Professor, Director, Department of Integrative Biology, Texas Memorial Museum

“As a diatom researcher, I tell my students that diatoms are the most important organism people have never heard of. This book will take the reader on a whimsical adventure into the microscopic world of diatoms that highlights their importance in the world. (I wish microgoggles were real!) The included activities will encourage young scientists to explore the diatoms in their own backyard. This is a wonderful introduction to diatoms and a celebration of their beauty, diversity, and versatility. “

– Victoria Chraibi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Tarleton State University