The Aquanaut Dan Santat – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Aquanaut Dan Santat

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2022

83%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Caldecott winner delivers a heartfelt, hilarious graphic novel about grief, marine life, and a diving suit operated by very determined sea creatures.

The Aquanaut Dan Santat

book

2022

83%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Caldecott winner delivers a heartfelt, hilarious graphic novel about grief, marine life, and a diving suit operated by very determined sea creatures.

4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what middle-grade graphic novels should be: beautiful, funny, emotionally intelligent, and willing to tackle real stuff like grief and environmental ethics without becoming a lecture.

Santat's visual storytelling makes the absurd premise (sea creatures in a diving suit!) work while grounding it in Sophia's very real loss. The book doesn't shy away from sadness but balances it with genuine adventure and humor. The marine conservation angle feels organic rather than forced—kids naturally question whether keeping animals in tanks is okay when they see it through Sophia's and the aquanaut crew's eyes.

At 4.7 stars on Amazon and praise from multiple review sources, this hits the mark for kids who want something more substantial than pure fluff but aren't ready for YA heaviness. It's readable in an afternoon but sticks around longer.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12, the sweet spot for graphic novel readers who can handle emotional depth alongside adventure. The grief themes and conservation ethics make it too nuanced for younger kids, while teens will likely find it too middle-grade.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Emotionally grounded story about grief, loss, and finding purpose after a parent's death. Sophia's journey through mourning her father is handled with care, and the marine creatures provide comic relief without undermining the emotional weight. Models cooperation between unlikely allies and determination to do the right thing (freeing captive animals). Slapstick violence is present but age-appropriate. The theme of obsession potentially overshadowing relationships adds nuance without being preachy.

Imaginative

A deep-sea diving suit powered by a crab, two octopuses, and a sea turtle is genuinely inventive. The graphic novel format from a Caldecott Medalist brings visual creativity to marine themes. The premise of animals operating machinery to free their captive friends is whimsical and original. Invites curiosity about ocean life and conservation while maintaining a fantastical adventure framework. The blend of real marine park ethics with absurdist humor shows creative range.

Safe

Books are inherently safe from most digital concerns. Content includes a parent's death (father lost at sea), which is central to the plot but handled as backstory rather than graphic trauma. Slapstick violence and a 'somewhat scary shipwreck' per Common Sense Media, but nothing beyond middle-grade adventure norms. No gore, sexual content, or truly frightening material. The emotional themes around grief and loss are age-appropriate for the target audience and not sprung as surprises—it's clearly a story about an orphaned girl from the synopsis.

Enriching

Tackles meaningful themes: grief processing, environmental ethics (marine captivity vs. conservation), and the difference between good intentions and harmful outcomes (Aqualand's evolution into something darker). Encourages empathy for marine life and critical thinking about theme parks and animal welfare. The graphic novel format makes complex ideas accessible. Strong entertainment value from an award-winning creator, though the environmental message is somewhat expected for this genre. Builds emotional literacy around loss.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Dan Santat's visual storytelling is top-tier—Caldecott Medal and National Book Award winner knows how to make a graphic novel sing
Handles heavy themes (losing a parent, processing grief) with genuine emotion while keeping things adventurous and funny
The premise is delightfully absurd: marine animals piloting a vintage diving suit to break their friends out of captivity
Introduces marine conservation ethics and theme park animal welfare without being preachy—kids get to think critically about 'fun' places
Easy to read in one sitting but emotionally resonant enough to stick with kids afterward

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What to Watch For

Sophia's father died at sea—this is the emotional core of the story, so be ready for grief conversations
Slapstick violence and a shipwreck scene that Common Sense Media flags as 'somewhat scary' (think middle-grade adventure, not trauma)
The environmental message about captive marine life might prompt questions about aquariums and SeaWorld-type places

Conversation Starters

"What do you think Sophia's dad would think about what Aqualand became?"
"If you could have any sea creatures as your adventure crew, who would you pick and why?"
"Do you think places like Aqualand are good for animals or not? What would make them better?"
"How do you think Sophia feels about her dad? What helps her feel better in the story?"

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