Ocean conservation
When I first dreamt up The Resort, I imagined not just an underwater wonderland, but a place where friendships bloom - between people, between sea creatures, and between us and the sea itself. What began as a playful story for an assignment for school turned into something much deeper. As I wove in the friendships between my characters-humans and turtles, coral dwellers and kids-I realised I was writing about care, connection, and responsibility.
I grew up loving the ocean as an island girl-family beach trips, picture books, and watching sea turtles glide in documentaries. One day, walking down the beach, we saw a massive turtle. But when we got to the turtle, we realised it was dead - it had been caught in the fishing net. It was such a heartbreaking moment to see this gentle giant dead for no fault of its own.
So I combined my imagination with real science, hoping readers would fall in love with the ocean and all its magnificent creatures - big, small and somewhere in between.
But there's another big element - friendship - nobody should walk alone. Whether you're a kid trying to speak up for the planet or a turtle navigating a changing ocean, friends make the journey possible. They remind us we're not small or powerless when we stand together.
Why Turtles Matter to Me-and to the Ocean
One of my favourite characters is Tiffany, the protagonist-a gentle sea turtle trying to find her place in a changing world. Tiffany not only represents real turtles that have been around for over a million years, an amazing friend and perfect protagonist.
Until recently, nearly all sea turtle species (including green turtles) were endangered due to threats like plastic waste, poaching, and bycatch. Thanks to decades of global conservation efforts-protecting nesting beaches, improving fishing practices, and community-driven activism-the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) has officially been reclassified by the IUCN from "Endangered" to "Least Concern."
Their global population has grown significantly over the past few decades. It's a huge victory - but it's not a finish line. Many regional populations still face serious risks, and threats like habitat loss, bycatch, and climate change remain.
The lesson is simple: when many people work together, recovery becomes possible. Collective voices matter - for turtles, for oceans, and for all of us.
Turning Sustainability into Adventure
I didn't want The Resort to feel like a lecture or a report. Instead, I filled it with magic, adventure, secret caves, floating eco-resorts and talking sea animals. When young readers dive in, they get a fun, magical adventure - but behind the magic is truth about why marine conservation matters.
If someone reads the story and then wonders, "Wait, is this real?" - and looks up what's happening to coral reefs, sea turtles, or ocean pollution - that's when the story has done its job.
Because learning doesn't have to be boring.
Caring doesn't have to be sad.
Adventure can be the spark.
And that spark is stronger when shared with friends - because protecting the planet is not a solo mission. It's something kids, adults, families, and communities can do together.
As Dr Jane Goodall reminds us, "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
How YOU can save the ocean
Use less plastic. A reusable water bottle or tote bag can make a huge difference!
Learn and share. Be an activist! Learn a little bit about Marine conservation and tell all your friends and family about how it could help save our planet.
Upcycle. If you have plastic bags or plastic bottles at home and you don't know what to do with them, search up a few crafty ideas on how to upcycle instead of just throwing them away. As they say. "One man's trash is another man's treasure!"
As one of the youngest voices at the Mumbai Lit Fest 2025, I feel hopeful.
Because if I can write a book about underwater friendships and conservation - and you, whether you're nine or ninety, can choose to care - then maybe, together, we can help the oceans heal.
Let's keep speaking for the sea, for the turtles, for the reef - and, most of all, for each other.
-By Anya Hannan, Youngest Author & Speaker, Mumbai Lit Fest 2025
