True Tales for Ocean Rebels
Tales for Ocean Rebels is an illustrated children's book project that transforms ocean science into emotionally engaging stories. Through narrative journeys rooted in oceanography, marine ecosystems, and ocean governance, the Tales invite young readers to experience the ocean not only as an ecosystem, but as a shared global space shaped by human responsibility.
The project was awarded the MakeEUBlue Award (European Commission, 2024) for Best Youth Project Concept and Implementation Launch.
The project builds on the idea of Blue Citizenship — understanding the ocean as a global commons that connects people across borders and generations. By combining scientific knowledge with imagination, the stories foster empathy, curiosity, and a sense of agency in shaping sustainable ocean futures.
Developed in dialogue with ocean scientists, the project merges literary storytelling with research-based visual practice. A dual visual language — ranging from abstract, myth-inspired imagery to more grounded, painterly scenes — creates an immersive narrative world in which science becomes tangible and emotionally resonant.
You can explore a first glimpse into the book: True Tales For Ocean Rebels.
About the artists: We are currently seeking publishing partners to develop Tales for Ocean Rebels into a fully illustrated children's book and potential book series. Marika Hellmund (visual artist, Instagram) and Nina Dietz (author) work as an interdisciplinary duo at the intersection of storytelling, science, and culture. As EU Young Ocean Advocates and recipients of the MakeEUBlue Award (European Commission, 2024), their work combines ocean literacy, democratic imagination, and artistic practice.