Pearl of the Sea

FROM THE AWARD-WINNING ANIMATION TEAM BEHIND THE FILMSKHUMBA, ZAMBEZIA, ANDSEAL TEAM

Pearl has always felt more comfortable in the sea than surrounded by the people in her sleepy South African town who always seem to let her down. But when a new friend from below the surface is taken by poachers, Pearl may need a little help after all.

Since her mother left, Pearl has spent more and more time in the ocean, fishing to help her father pay the bills. But when she gets mixed up with a group of illegal abalone poachers and starts diving near a restricted wreck, Pearl meets an ancient sea monster named Otto - who isn't quite as monstrous as she thought. And when Otto's enemies come back to finish what they started, Pearl is the only one who can save him, but only if she has the courage to let go of her past and open up to others - including the girl from class she's got a crush on.

With her one-eyed pup sidekick and a whole lot of nerve, Pearl may just be able to save Otto and finally tell the truth to her father...and, more importantly, to herself. With vibrant full-colour illustrations,Pearl of the Seais a South African adventure story exploring how we are both bound to and freed by nature, seen through the eyes of a tough teen-aged heroine determined to live life by her own rules.

“" Pearl of the Sea is an action-packed story in a unique setting. The beautiful illustrations bring you right into the ocean and the South African seaside town Pearl calls home. With mysteries and heart, this is an exciting graphic novel everyone will enjoy!" --Daron Nefcy, Star vs. The Forces of Evil " Pearl of the Sea is lush in color and imaginative in ways I forgot comics could be. The natural world is a character of its own here and many layers of truth about identity are revealed in an charming, epic story." --Shof Coker, Liyana Art Director & co-creator of New Masters " This strikingly illustrated graphic novel reminds us that pearls do not turn into gems overnight; Pearl's journey is as turbulent and wondrous as the ocean she loves. Pearl of the Sea is a visual feast that tackles weighty themes with delicate non-preachy flair, making it fresh and relevant. It is a much-needed and timely story with a heart as big as a giant octopus." --Hannes Barnard, Halley's Comet " There is a delicate balance of nostalgia and discovery painted over the story's coastal town to create an absolutely charming adventure with a touch of magic and unspoken bonds. A beautiful contrast between a struggle for agency and the shifting perspective of what monsters look like to us." --Bill Masuku, Razor Man , Captain South Africa "Beautiful, spirited and gently romantic, Pearl of the Sea is an aquatic feast for the eye and a coup for South African comics." --Richard Conyngham, All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa "Pearl of the Sea is an exciting and heartwarming tale, part coming-of-age story and part adventure yarn featuring a young South African heroine who is smart, brave and effortlessly relatable to readers. The art evokes both the action of classic manga and the pristinely-framed storytelling of Herge's Tintin. Using expansive panels of sunset vistas and sub-oceanic splash pages, the book creates a sense of fantastical wonder, as the tale unfurls (often wordlessly) through the eyes of the intrepid young heroine." --Luke Molver, author/illustrator, King Shaka: Zulu Legend "This story gives context to the history of overfishing, complications of poaching and how the laws negatively affect small scale indigenous fishing communities. It is a story of deep love and respect and made me hold my breath because I relate. Powerful and inspirational story telling!" --Traci Kwaai, artist and storyteller”

2024 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens 

2023 YALSA Top Ten Comic Book Companions

2023 ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children

2024-25 Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee, Graphic Novel Grades 6-8 Category 

"The February Must-Have List"—Animation Magazine

"[A] stupendous WOW. [...] Into an undeniably exhilarating narrative, the South African creative team manages to deftly weave in resonating issues, from environmental destruction to socioeconomic struggles to familial dysfunctions. Silverston, Samuel, and Delle Donne are undoubtedly master storytellers, while Samuel’s intricate artistry brings magic to every page." —Booklist (starred review)

"A heartfelt tale. The detailed illustrations do the heavy lifting in many of the wordless panels as the vibrant colors and dynamic linework bring Pearl’s beloved ocean to life. This steady coming-of-age journey tackles the complexities of poaching while showcasing Pearl’s journey to let people into her life." —Kirkus Reviews

[A] heartwarming, adventurous sea tale. […] Stunning, vibrant illustrations with deep hues of color bring Pearl's sea adventure to life. A fast-paced graphic novel about making friends in unlikely places and opening up your heart after experiencing grief." —School Library Journal

"The colorful art does a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of the sea and the ramshackle nature of Pearl’s hometown. Of particular note are several continuous pages of wide, double-page panels, which, along with theoccasional full-page spreads, result in an immersive, cinematic scope. Pearl of the Sea is a vibrant coastal coming-of-age story with secrets, monsters, and thrills throughout.” — Foreword Reviews

"Teenage diver Pearl befriends an octopean sea monster of mythical proportions in this uplifting graphic novel. [...] Full-color illustrations by Samuel depict ethereal ocean depths in deep navy and electric blue hues. Pearl’s struggles with loneliness and feelings of being an outsider are rendered via Silverston and Delle Donne’s empathetic and humorous dialogue, making for a winning story of friendship, nature, and trust." — Publishers Weekly

"Compelling and original [...] highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as middle school and community library Graphic Novel collections for young readers."— Midwest Book Review

"Pearl of the Sea is a beautiful graphic novel that will have great appeal to a wide range of readers. Gorgeous blues and underwater scenes make this book utterly enchanting... I can’t wait to add [it] to our school library’s collection." – Madison Dearnaley, Head of Library Services at St Paul's School, Brisbane

“This beautifully illustrated adventure will thrill middle school readers.” — School Library Journal's Good Comics for Kids Blog, named a Top Weekly Pick January 2023

"[S]imply hard to put down. In other words, be prepared to dive deep and fast into this rewarding journey featuring some fantastical elements unfolding off the west coast of South Africa. [...]  Not only is Pearl of The Sea a compelling read, but it is also a visual treasure that merits multiple reads. The rich art has a theatric feel, with scene after scene pulling you into the story and keeping you gripped. [...]  I recommend this unexpected delight for fans of meaningful graphic novels and those new to the genre." — Good Reads with Ronna Mandel

"[A] beautiful, flowing work that echoes both the serenity and tempestuous character of the ocean… Pearl of the Sea is a coming-of-age adventure story, but it is also mixed in with lively humour, tenderness and a measure of sadness. Its multi-layered storylines make for a wide audience of all ages, for sure…[A] solid and seamless work that will easily find praise, and justifiably so. Pearl of the Sea succeeds on every level, creating an entertaining, enjoyable, and immersive experience that is unmistakably and truly South African." — LitNet

"Pearl of the Sea is an action-packed story in a unique setting. The beautiful illustrations bring you right into the ocean and the South African seaside town Pearl calls home. With mysteries and heart, this is an exciting graphic novel everyone will enjoy!" —Daron Nefcy, Star vs. The Forces of Evil

"Pearl of the Sea is lush in color and imaginative in ways I forgot comics could be. The natural world is a character of its own here and many layers of truth about identity are revealed in an charming, epic story." —Shofela Coker, Liyana Art Director & co-creator of New Masters

"[T]his captivating spread of plush colours and riveting words take[s] readers through multiple twists of increasing pulse and sighs. […] Pearl of the Sea is not only a graphic novel without a blur but also an aquatic delicacy for young-adult readers – or anyone else with a large appetite for the genre. This work of fiction re-introduces you to a fresh shade of South Africa, the aquatic world, and yourself." — World Kid Lit Blog

"[H]ard to put down. [...] This magical fantasy adventure has lots to love." —Youth Services Book Review

"The strength of character and adventurous spirit Pearl displays throughout ensure young readers will be captivated by her and invested in what happens to her. […] Satisfaction guaranteed." —Slings & Arrows

"Pearl of the Sea is a beautiful adventure with a strong emotional core that encapsulates everything that’s great about visual storytelling. Every scene is lush, the narrative is woven deftly across the page, and there’s a gentleness in the storytelling that’s difficult to come by these days. I alternated between being thoroughly immersed, and desperately wanting some of the illustrations framed in my kid’s room. Highly recommended." —Charlie Human, Apocalypse Now Now

“This strikingly illustrated graphic novel reminds us that pearls do not turn into gems overnight; Pearl’s journey is as turbulent and wondrous as the ocean she loves. Pearl of the Sea is a visual feast that tackles weighty themes with delicate non-preachy flair, making it fresh and relevant. It is a much-needed and timely story with a heart as big as a giant octopus.” —Hannes Barnard, Halley's Comet

“There is a delicate balance of nostalgia and discovery painted over the story's coastal town to create an absolutely charming adventure with a touch of magic and unspoken bonds. A beautiful contrast between a struggle for agency and the shifting perspective of what monsters look like to us.” —Bill Masuku, Razor Man, Captain South Africa

"Beautiful, spirited and gently romantic, Pearl of the Sea is an aquatic feast for the eye and a coup for South African comics." —Richard Conyngham, All Rise: Resistance and Rebellion in South Africa

"Pearl of the Sea is an exciting and heartwarming tale, part coming-of-age story and part adventure yarn featuring a young South African heroine who is smart, brave and effortlessly relatable to readers. The art evokes both the action of classic manga and the pristinely-framed storytelling of Herge’s Tintin. Using expansive panels of sunset vistas and sub-oceanic splash pages, the book creates a sense of fantastical wonder, as the tale unfurls (often wordlessly) through the eyes of the intrepid young heroine." —Luke Molver, author/illustrator, King Shaka: Zulu Legend

“This story gives context to the history of overfishing, complications of poaching and how the laws negatively affect small scale indigenous fishing communities. It is a story of deep love and respect and made me hold my breath because I relate. Powerful and inspirational story telling!” —Traci Kwaai, artist and storyteller

"The colours in this graphic novel are wonderful. From the vibrant pops of colour, blues of the underwater scenes and soft sunrises over the ocean. [...] Pearl of the Sea has wonderful themes of protecting our ocean life, friendship and opening up to others, even after losing someone close to you."— Madison's Library

"The heroine is smart, brave and relatable to readers of all ages and tackles the complexities of poaching, families and friendships." — Cape Community Newspapers (South Africa)

"A real lesson in humanity, courage and resilience!” — la Bibliothèque des Ados, Radio France (French edition, Pearl et Le Monstre Marin) 

“A captivating story with an endearing heroine.” — À Fond La Science (French edition, Pearl et Le Monstre Marin)

Anthony Silverstonis partner andHead of Development atTriggerfish Animation Studios in South Africa where he is currently overseeing a slate of projects in development and production. These includeKizazi Moto: Generation Fire, an anthology of 10 short films in production with Disney+,Mama K's Team 4 with Netflix,andKiyaIn 2015, he oversaw the Story Lab, an initiative where 4 feature films and 4 TV series were chosen to be developed after a continent-wide search that drew almost 1400 entries.He also directed and co-wrote the feature filmKhumbaHe has produced and written onSeal Team (released globally in December 2021 on Netflix), as well as Triggerfish's first featureZambezia.Silverston was also producer of the short filmBelly Flopwhich screened at over 135 festivals and won 14 awards, and the Blender short film,Troll Girl.Before joining Triggerfish, he completed three independent stop-motion shorts of his own. He is also a published Microbiologist, which is a fact that has become increasingly less useful over the years.

RaffaellaDelle Donnee was the TV Development Executive for the Triggerfish Studios/Disney Storylab that incubated Mama K's Team 4 and co-wrote the award-winning features Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba. Raffaella is currently a writer and Executive Creative Consultant on Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes, a new preschool show slated for release on Disney.

Willem Samuelis a visual artist working in animation and comic books. His autobiographical novel,Mengelmoes, was published in the UK bySoaring Penguin Pressin 2016 to critical acclaim. His comic work has featured in zines internationally, including the cult seriesBitterkomixand in cyberspace via the award-winning online anthologyAces Weekly, brainchild of David Lloyd (V for Vendetta). Previously, Willem Art Directed the pan-African comicSupa Strikas, which was adapted into an animated series. More recently he served as Head of Story on the animated featureSeal Teamas well as creating concept art for theWarhammer+streaming series,Hammer & Bolter.

FROM THE AWARD-WINNING ANIMATION TEAM BEHIND THE FILMS KHUMBA , ZAMBEZIA , AND SEAL TEAM Pearl has always felt more comfortable in the sea than surrounded by the people in her sleepy South African town who always seem to let her down. But when a new friend from below the surface is taken by poachers, Pearl may need a little help after all. Since her mother left, Pearl has spent more and more time in the ocean, fishing to help her father pay the bills. But when she gets mixed up with a group of illegal abalone poachers and starts diving near a restricted wreck, Pearl meets an ancient sea monster named Otto--who isn't quite as monstrous as she thought. And when Otto's enemies come back to finish what they started, Pearl is the only one who can save him, but only if she has the courage to let go of her past and open up to others--including the girl from class she's got a crush on. With her one-eyed pup sidekick and a whole lot of nerve, Pearl may just be able to save Otto and finally tell the truth to her father... and, more importantly, to herself. With vibrant full-color illustrations, Pearl of the Sea is a South African adventure story exploring how we are both bound to and freed by nature, seen through the eyes of a tough teen-aged heroine determined to live life by her own rules.

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