Author Chat with Tina Cho (God’s Little Oceanographer), Plus Giveaway~ US/CAN ONLY!

Ride the waves before diving into the depths of sea to uncover the wonders of the ocean—and God’s deep love for you and me!

 

From the ocean’s surface, all the way to its deepest depths, this immersive picture book will teach little sea lovers new words, facts, and concepts, while also encouraging them to see God’s creativity, playfulness, power, and love in every splash and every wave.

Written by an elementary school teacher, each page includes fact-filled sidebars plus an accompanying Bible verse, making God’s Little Oceanographer the perfect faith friendly science adventure for kids interested in marine life and activities. The masterfully layered and rich illustrations include sharks, dolphins, otters, sea turtles, whales, octopuses, and so much more!

YABC:  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

Over twenty years ago, with my firstborn child, adding science into baby board books and picture books was all the rage to give little ones a boost in education right from the start. Since then, I’ve seen series of science books for kids take off. However, a Christian series of science picture books for the young was rare. When my editor put out a call for a faith-based science series, I jumped on the opportunity. Now, God’s Little Oceanographer joins God’s Little Astronomer in the Big Adventures for Growing Minds series from Waterbrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

YABC: What research did you do to write this book?

For research, I went to my local library and checked out children’s books about the ocean to see how they approached the subject. I used websites like NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization), WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), National Geographic, and Answers in Genesis. After I knew how I wanted to organize the book, which was by ocean zones, I chose animals, both well-known and some lesser-known that would be interesting to the picture book age. Then I used websites, books, and even documentaries on You Tube to find facts about each creature. For the Bible verses, I used search terms like “Bible verses about the ocean” or fish, etc…

YABC:   What can readers expect to find in your books?

In this series, readers will find diverse children who explore God’s world and learn about each topic in a fun way. Each spread features the main text, sidebars of rich fun facts, and an accompanying Bible verse that shows the concept in the Bible. Each book returns to the theme of God’s love for each child in relation to the topic, whether it’s outer space or the ocean.

YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?

My favorite snack would be Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips or a chocolate chip cookie and sipping on Starbucks Pink Drink.

YABC: What other age group would you consider writing for?

I’ve written for middle grade. So far I have a nonfiction chapter book, Asian American Women in Science and a lyrical middle grade graphic novel, The Other Side of Tomorrow, which has won numerous awards. It’s about North Korean refugee children who escape along the Asian Underground Railroad.

 

YABC: What daily thing do you see that brings you joy?

The sunsets in Iowa are amazing—orange, red, yellow and sometimes purple and pink! I just read a great quote this morning by Charles Kingsley. “Beauty is God’s handwriting.”

YABC: What is your favorite writing space or routine?

Since I’m a teacher, I dedicate Saturdays to writing. You’ll find me either writing at my desk or at the kitchen table.

 

YABC:     Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

I have two. I like Answers in Genesis, directed by Dr. Ken Ham, a creation science organization that even built a life-size replica of Noah’s ark. They feature articles and books about science topics from the lens of God’s Word written by experts in the field. I also like Voice of the Martyrs Korea. We lived in South Korea for ten years, and I was able to volunteer a couple of times with them. They assist North Korean refugees. A couple of my books are about North Korea. And of course, writing diverse books is near to my heart, so children can see themselves in books or learn about children who are different in some way, yet the same.

 

YABC:   What’s up next for you?

The Princess and the Grain of Rice publishes February 10, 2026, from Farrar, Strauss, Giroux/Macmillan. It’s a Korean retelling of The Princess and the Pea.

God’s Little Zoologist will be the next book in the Big Adventures for Growing Minds series from Waterbrook/Penguin Random House.

And I have another picture book on a Korean topic unannounced, but hopefully soon!