AUSTRALIA CORAL SEA • BAHAMAS • BALI • HAWAII • INDONESIA • MALDIVES • RED SEA • SOLOMON ISLANDS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: This book was written and illustrated when Tegan RIch was twelve. Now fifteen, Tegan has had a variety of experiences in the natural world that have opened her eyes to the beauty of our planet, as well as to the detrimental effects humans can have on Earth's animals and plants.
     Tegan lives in Austin, Texas, among adults involved in photography and film projects illustrating the underwater coral reef ecosystems of the world.

First page
Book: HAWAII SEA LIFE by Tegan Rich

An illustrated underwater adventure in Hawaii.
I HAVE DREAMED OF BEING WITH SO MANY SEA ANIMALS, BUT NEVER DID I THINK IT WOULD REALLY HAPPEN . . .
     I have been to Hawaii a number of times since I was six, but in May of 1996 I became aware that many beautiful ocean creatures were becoming extinct. I made this book hoping for a stop to sea life extinction, and to bring it to people's awareness. I want people to love the ocean as I do, and to understand the reasons I want it to flourish.
     During this trip to Kauai, we went scuba diving many times at Ni'ihau, a two-hour boat ride from Kauai. Although visitors are not permitted to set foot on Ni'ihau, divers sometimes reach Lehua Rock, the crescent-shaped tip of a sunken valcanic crater offshore. On these trips, I swam and snorkeled above the divers. We also snorkeled regularly at Tunnels Beach, right outside our house. Each time I entered the water, I learned something new about Hawaiian sea life. Back home, I drew and watercolored a new animal I had seen that day.
     Flip the pages to follow my adventure!