Biology student publishes children's book on marine biology

antonucci share — Jasmine Antonucci with her book, “Friends with the Ocean."

A biology major at Eastern Connecticut State University recently published a children’s book based on her study of marine biology. Junior Jasmine Antonucci’s “Friends with the Ocean” takes readers into the depths of the ocean through the eyes of the various creatures dwelling in its waters.

“What the book does is introduce kids to the ocean by going over cool animals in each zone,” said Antonucci. “The goal is to get kids excited about nature and to help them gain an understanding and empathy to protect nature.”

Antonucci wrote, illustrated and published the book herself. The book is currently available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and the gift shop at Block Island Maritime Institute (BIMI), where she recently interned. There, she was able to share her personal interest in the ocean by leading various children’s programs.

“My roles during my three-month internship at BIMI involved a lot of education, especially when getting kids involved in science,” said Antonucci. “I work with children and teach them about different animals through a program we have called Creature Feature. This program also kind of ties in with the theme of my book. Basically, the deeper you go, the larger the animals.”

Antonucci’s original course of study was engineering. In addition to her curiosity about marine life, she grew up participating in events such as “invention conventions” that culminated her quantitative research skills. Problem-solving, she explained, is a major theme in her book that amalgamated all of her interests for a younger audience to absorb.

“Not a lot has been studied in the ocean, which is why I wanted kids to feel the same passion for it as I do,” she said. “Generating a curiosity in the ocean ties into the whole problem-solving theme and will hopefully inspire the next generation of scientists.

“I’m especially interested in doing research on sharks, which I have also taught children about,” she continued. “I’m also very lucky to have met other women in the field, as I plan on continuing research at the University of Rhode Island after I graduate.”

Written by Elisabeth Craig

Categories: Biology, Early Childhood, Undergraduate Research