- Home
- Juvenile Nonfiction
- History
- The Vanishing Sea (The Tale of How the Aral Sea Became the Aral Desert)
The Vanishing Sea (The Tale of How the Aral Sea Became the Aral Desert)
List Price:
$18.99
- Availability: Confirm prior to ordering
- Branding: minimum 50 pieces (add’l costs below)
- Check Freight Rates (branded products only)
Branding Options (v), Availability & Lead Times
- 1-Color Imprint: $2.00 ea.
- Promo-Page Insert: $2.50 ea. (full-color printed, single-sided page)
- Belly-Band Wrap: $2.50 ea. (full-color printed)
- Set-Up Charge: $45 per decoration
- Availability: Product availability changes daily, so please confirm your quantity is available prior to placing an order.
- Branded Products: allow 10 business days from proof approval for production. Branding options may be limited or unavailable based on product design or cover artwork.
- Unbranded Products: allow 3-5 business days for shipping. All Unbranded items receive FREE ground shipping in the US. Inquire for international shipping.
- RETURNS/CANCELLATIONS: All orders, branded or unbranded, are NON-CANCELLABLE and NON-RETURNABLE once a purchase order has been received.
Product Details
Author:
Dinara Mirtalipova
Format:
Hardcover
Pages:
40
Publisher:
Chronicle Books (February 3, 2026)
Imprint:
Chronicle Books
Language:
English
Audience:
Children/juvenile
Age Range:
5 to 8
Grade Level:
Kindergarten to 3rd Grade
ISBN-13:
9781797224596
ISBN-10:
179722459X
Weight:
14.08oz
Dimensions:
8.9" x 11.3"
File:
hbgusa-hbgusa_Chronicle_onix30_P10036776_05022026_Complete-20260502.xml
Folder:
hbgusa
List Price:
$18.99
Pub Discount:
65
As low as:
$14.62
Publisher Identifier:
P-CHRONICLE
Discount Code:
B
Case Pack:
22
Overview
This artful and thought-provoking picture book shares the little-known story of the disappearance of the Aral Sea—and the loss of livelihood and biodiversity as fishing villages and ships were left stranded in the desert without water.
The Aral Sea once stretched across modern-day Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. A large saltwater lake of Central Asia (called “sea” because of its vastness), the Aral Sea’s 26 square miles (67 square kilometers) sustained its surrounding communities for generations. Beginning in the 1960s, aggressive Soviet industrialization diverted water for agricultural production and caused the lake to shrink.
Today, the waters that had thrived for centuries have almost entirely disappeared—and along with them, the biodiversity of the lake, its thriving fishing industry, and the many homes along its shores.
Told in a folkloric style with stunning illustrations, this true tale chronicles what happens when nature’s generosity is exploited. It gently invites readers to consider the reality of irreversible environmental harm, its global impact, and what it means to be compassionate to the land we live on.
TIMELY THEMES: This book showcases lessons of community effort and perseverance, addressing important themes about the environment, biodiversity, water access, the impact of colonization, and the effects of industry and agriculture.
LITTLE-KNOWN STORY: Few Central Asian stories like this are familiar to American and European readers, and very little has been published about the Aral Sea outside of Russia. This captivating picture book brings its important story to the world.
FAR-REACHING IMPACT: The disappearance of the Aral Sea has a global impact: the effects have been documented as far away as Scandinavia and Antarctica, and toxic soils from the damaged Aral Sea basin are being carried by winds to the far corners of the planet. This story offers readers a chance to learn about the loss of a critical resource and reassess what it means to be environmentally aware, both locally and globally.
Perfect for:
The Aral Sea once stretched across modern-day Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. A large saltwater lake of Central Asia (called “sea” because of its vastness), the Aral Sea’s 26 square miles (67 square kilometers) sustained its surrounding communities for generations. Beginning in the 1960s, aggressive Soviet industrialization diverted water for agricultural production and caused the lake to shrink.
Today, the waters that had thrived for centuries have almost entirely disappeared—and along with them, the biodiversity of the lake, its thriving fishing industry, and the many homes along its shores.
Told in a folkloric style with stunning illustrations, this true tale chronicles what happens when nature’s generosity is exploited. It gently invites readers to consider the reality of irreversible environmental harm, its global impact, and what it means to be compassionate to the land we live on.
TIMELY THEMES: This book showcases lessons of community effort and perseverance, addressing important themes about the environment, biodiversity, water access, the impact of colonization, and the effects of industry and agriculture.
LITTLE-KNOWN STORY: Few Central Asian stories like this are familiar to American and European readers, and very little has been published about the Aral Sea outside of Russia. This captivating picture book brings its important story to the world.
FAR-REACHING IMPACT: The disappearance of the Aral Sea has a global impact: the effects have been documented as far away as Scandinavia and Antarctica, and toxic soils from the damaged Aral Sea basin are being carried by winds to the far corners of the planet. This story offers readers a chance to learn about the loss of a critical resource and reassess what it means to be environmentally aware, both locally and globally.
Perfect for:
- Young readers who love nature and fact books
- Educators, librarians, and parents seeking engaging geography and natural science books for kids
- Anyone looking for stories featuring an environmental call to action
- A resource for talking about the impact of colonialism, industrialization, and underrepresented regions of the world
- Fans of Dinara Mirtalipova's art
