When The Sea Left


Children - Picture Book
36 Pages
Reviewed on 09/13/2025
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

When the Sea Left by Nadine Holland is a cautionary and imaginative picture book that teaches children about the effects of littering and the importance of caring for the natural world. The story follows Felix Flynn, a boy who casually tosses his trash into the sea, thinking little of its impact. Each act of carelessness causes a mysterious mound to rise from the waves, warning Felix that ongoing pollution will lead to severe consequences. True to its warning, the mound eventually swallows the sea, leaving Felix and his community to face a barren landscape without fish, waves, or the joy of coastal life. The narrative is simple but effective, illustrating the progression from small personal choices to broader ecological damage.

Felix’s transformation from careless litterer to thoughtful advocate gives the book an instructive arc without feeling overly didactic. His shame and eventual determination to clean up reflect a journey children can understand and emulate. The return of the sea after the community bands together reinforces the power of collective action, showing that change is possible when people work toward a common goal. The final pages include a “seek and find” activity where children can search for sea creatures in the illustrations, as well as a short nonfiction section that explains ocean pollution in simple terms and offers practical tips for reducing waste. When the Sea Left is a parable about human responsibility and the fragile balance between people and the environment. By blending humor, warning, and hope, Nadine Holland encourages children to see their role in protecting the sea and, by extension, the planet.

Cloie Belle Daffon

When the Sea Left by Nadine Holland tells the story of a young boy named Felix Flynn, who has much to learn about the vast and beautiful sea. Felix loves playing by the sea, but he doesn’t understand how to care for it. He continues to throw small pieces of trash into the water, ignoring the warnings about the consequences of his actions. After all, how can one tiny piece of trash affect such a large body of water? However, one day, the sea suddenly vanishes! Could it be because of the trash Felix has thrown in it? What will Felix do now? Discover the answer in When the Sea Left.

When The Sea Left is engaging, fast-paced, and well-written. I enjoyed reading the story, especially because each page is adorned with beautiful, colorful illustrations by Crista McGinley that highlight the beauty of the sea. In addition to the exceptional illustrations, the story is packed with valuable lessons, making it an ideal read for parents and their children. One of the most important lessons is that every action, no matter how small, can significantly impact our environment, making it ideal for helping children understand that every action has consequences. The story emphasizes the importance of the sea, inspiring children to take care of both the ocean and our environment. Felix's character development is a great example for young readers. It is admirable that he acknowledged his shortcomings and made an effort to correct his mistakes. There is a fun activity at the end of the story, along with helpful information. It is an entertaining and amazing read.

Adanna Ora

Have you ever imagined what would happen if the sea dried up? That would be a tragedy, as we would lose lots of fish and the joy of spending time at the beach. Nadine Holland depicts this perfectly in When The Sea Left. This is the story of a boy named Felix Flynn, who was warned about the disaster that would occur if he continued to throw rubbish into the ocean. However, Felix ignored the warning, believing he couldn't be responsible for the actions of others. As a result, the sea disappeared. Can the sea be brought back, or is this the end of the story? Read this educational book that shifts the focus from theory-based discussions about environmental pollution to practical solutions needed to transform our world to find out.

When The Sea Left by Nadine Holland is an engaging and educational book that explores important themes such as empathy, kindness, accountability, responsibility, courage, repentance, and hard work. Rather than just telling a story, it delivers a powerful message about a pressing global issue: water pollution. The book effectively communicates the harmful effects of littering while encouraging young readers to take responsibility for the environment. The use of rhymes and other literary devices makes the narrative captivating. Additionally, the puzzle features that help identify sea animals spark curiosity and enhance knowledge for young readers. The vibrant and colorful illustrations by Crista McGinley bring each character to life, showing remarkable attention to detail. The explanations throughout the book deepen readers' understanding of the important lessons conveyed. This book is an excellent recommendation for schools and young readers.