Children’s Book Review: The Vanishing Sea by Dinara Mirtalipova

THE VANISHING SEA
The Tale of How the Aral Sea Became the Aral Desert
By: Dinara Mirtalipova
Published: February 3, 2026
Publisher:
Non-Fiction

I honestly didn’t know anything about the Aral Sea disappearing over the last several decades. The Aral Sea/Desert is in a part of the world I know very little about. The area is in the former country of Uzbekistan, where Dinara was born. In an author’s note at the end of the book, she shares about her journey back to the area in 2023, traveling across the rough seabed, without any access to outside communication.

From black-and-white photographs of her grandma to news articles she read as an adult, Dinara felt that there was a story to tell young readers. This book is a warning, a connection to the world outside our immediate bubble, and an eye-opener to what could happen if we let things get out of control.

A two-page spread shows the Aral Sea in 1960, large and vibrant with fish and boats. By 1987, it is considerably smaller, and by 1999, it is about half the original size. By 2021, there are just small pockets of water left behind. The people who live there now have very little access to fresh water and definitely no fish to feed their families.

This book teaches what could happen when we don’t care for our environment, take advantage of our water access, and what can happen when the effects of industry and agriculture take over a small area.

Dinara Mirtalipova is an award-winning folk illustrator and designer. Born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she uses a wide range of materials and tools, like carving lino blocks, gouache, acrylics, and many others inspired by Uzbek and Russian folklore and culture. She is the illustrator of numerous books, including Woven of the World and Russian Tales: Traditional Stories of Quests and Enchantments. She currently lives and works in Northeast Ohio with her family. You can see other books by Dinara Mirtalipova that I’ve shared, HERE. Check out her website, HERE.

Click HERE to purchase a copy of THE VANISHING SEA

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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.