How often would you come across references to pop culture, children’s literature, comic books, and even Sridevi and Bollywood in a book about the environment? Our answer would be none. Sejal Mehta, journalist, author, and key team member of Marine Life of Mumbai, a citizen-led platform to document and create awareness about the city’s coastal biodiversity, has cracked a formula with her new title, Superpowers on the Shore (Penguin). By giving sea creatures a voice and almost humanising their thoughts, she organically introduces factoids and data without overwhelming the reader. Aided by Jessica Luis’ delightful illustrations, and content that is presented in a quirky and engaging style, the book will intrigue even those readers who might not typically be drawn towards learning about nature around us, let alone India’s marine life, and the cool, really important roles that sea creatures play in this ecosystem.  

Edited excerpts from an interview with Mehta.