Have you ever wondered where all the trash in the ocean goes? Or, how plastics in the ocean are cleaned up and recycled? Well, this is the book for you.

Flipflopi is a true story of how a Kenyan community of residents reformed their ocean by building a traditional dhow boat out of flip-flops and other plastic waste. This inspirational and informative picture book promotes environmental consciousness and takes readers on an incredible journey through its charming narrative and richly stunning illustrations to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution. By inspiring communities to act, for the betterment of our oceans, this story emphasizes the power of creativity, ingenuity, and collective efforts to address environmental challenges of plastic pollution in our oceans. Lodding and Pabari weave the impact of complex environmental issues with age-appropriate storytelling, giving the young reader the opportunity to critically think about their own role in protecting the environment.

Paired with the text are vibrant and vivid illustrations that bring the story to life. Mwangi’s detailed artwork portrays the oceanic scenery and the creation of the Flipflopi boat. Young readers will enjoy each scene showing how the boat was crafted entirely from recycled plastic. The illustrations brilliantly showcase the beautiful Kenyan people and culture along with the exotic marine life while also presenting the damaging effects of plastic pollution. Mwangi’s illustrations act as a visual reminder of the importance of preserving our oceans and sea animals by reducing plastic waste and recycling.

Flipflopi offer a powerful and valuable environmental message that young readers will find engaging and fun to read. With this learned information, children will begin to think critically and empathetically about their own environmentally conscious choices and consumption habits and how that affects the world’s ocean. Adding this book to a young reader’s library is essential as it will empower their sense of stewardship and responsibility for the natural world, fostering a generation of young eco-friendly activists just like the main character Juma did with his Babu Ali.

At the end of the book, young readers are offered additional resources, a glossary, and photos and illustrated images of the real Flipflopi. Young readers will gravitate to this story as it serves as an educational tool that prompts discussions about oceans, sea life, recycling, and sustainability. Teachers, caregivers, and parents will also enjoy this book as well because it encourages critical thinking and instills a sense of recyclable responsibility in young readers.