Is It Okay to Pee in the Ocean? The Fascinating Science of Our Waste and Our World

Schwartz’s guiding titular question draws together human biology and water ecology for a playfully wide-ranging, informative, and conservation-leaning exploration. Chatty prose grounded in basic science examines urine from every angle, touching on how and why the body creates it and where one should and shouldn’t feel free to let loose. Dispersed throughout are deep dives into marine science, covering such topics as fin whale waste, algal blooms, and single-use plastics. Shaded boxes offer historical and mythological context, propose experiments (“Sea it for yourself”), or make a connection to environmental stewardship (“Be the change”), while Williams’s grayscale cartoons help visualize the text, including figures of varied skin tones. A simple message ties it all together: “Peeing in the ocean isn’t a problem. It’s all the other stuff humans do that is harming the seas, and, by extension, our planet.” Back matter includes an ocean protector pledge. Ages 8–12. (Feb.)