The Ocean's Heart: The Tiny Creatures Essential to Life

Far below the ocean's surface / live tiny, restless creatures / called zooplankton. / They are the ocean's heart.

The largest migration of animals on Earth happens every single night as billions upon billions of microscopic animals―zooplankton―paddle from the ocean’s depths to its surface. On their journey, they swim daunting distances through predator-infested waters in pursuit of a midnight feast. Zooplankton are so small, and they live so deep, that we may never see them―but the entire food web depends upon their survival. Venture into the ocean’s twilight zone with Jilanne Hoffmann’s lyrical, evocative prose and Khoa Le’s luminous illustrations of these tiny yet magnificent creatures.

Jilanne Hoffmann has been a zoo train engineer, a waitress, a "real" engineer, a fitness trainer, a tai chi instructor, a freelance writer for nonprofit organizations, and now enjoys writing stories for kids and adults. She has a BS in Engineering and an MFA in creative writing. Her picture book, A River of Dust, was an ALA Notable Children's Book, a Bank Street College Best Children's Book, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection, and an SCBWI Crystal Kite Winner. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, son, and rescue dog named Wrigley.

Khoa Le is a picture book author and illustrator from Vietnam. Alongside her love of reading, art, and music, she draws inspiration from her journeys, discovering the beauty of the world―particularly through her deep love for the ocean and all things connected to it. Accompanied by her beloved cats, Khoa finds peace in her small studio, and she also cherishes the tranquility of nature.