Copyright 2016 John Morano • All rights reserved
Now in its fourth edition, the 15th Anniversary Edition of Makoona features an introduction by Kathryn Fuller, Director Emerita of World Wildlife Fund, and wonderful illustrations by artist Sarah Anderson.
Welcome to the inspiring story of Binti, a female octopus who lives in the Makoona coral reef, and Kemar, a Cambodian refugee-boy who fishes the reef.
As a mollusk without a shell, Binti believes she's missing something...but the reef is a dangerous place to search for anything, let alone the shell that will fulfill her and enable her to communicate with the spirit-fish. Helped by her friends and a psychedelic octopus who speaks Grateful Dead lyrics (with the band's permission!), the search is on.
Fifteen-year-old Kemar, a boatperson fleeing the Khmer Rouge, fishes the waters around Makoona where he crosses the path of a strange octopus and befriends both a Vietnam vet and an old American mechanic who claims she was once a world famous aviator.
"Morano brings the reader right into the undersea life of an endangered coral reef... We feel the gentle currents and see the brilliant colors... The reader is enchanted."
-Kathy Toohey, Night & Day Press
"... so well researched, so tightly written, at times it's difficult to tell where fact ends and fantasy begins."
-Roger Caras, best-selling author and former President of the ASPCA.
"Sometimes it takes a book like Makoona to remind us just what amazing sights are lurking beneath the surface... It brings the ocean and its life to us... reminding us of its value and what needs to be done."
-Kathryn Fuller, President of World Wildlife Fund.
"Entertaining for all ages... Morano has found his niche writing about ecological issues."
-Terry Lipshetz, Home News Tribune
