In an era when Port of Long Beach cargo numbers have hit record heights, a new children’s book about a fictional sea lion living amid it all debuted on Tuesday, March 3, for students during Read Across America Week.
Written by Port of Long Beach media relations manager Art Marroquin and illustrated by local artist Michelle Dinh, the book — “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port” — is the tale of the environmental changes taking place in the San Pedro Bay.
It had its official public launch on Tuesday.
Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba speaks during the debut of the Port of Long Beach’s book “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba speaks at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker speaks during the debut of the Port of Long Beach’s book “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, ten-year-old Stella Guzman and Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba read an excerpt from “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
3rd grade students at Birney Elementary School read “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Port of Long Beach Media Relations Officer and Author Art Marroquin, center, hands out copies of “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” to 3rd grade students at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Port of Long Beach Managing Director, Strategic Advocacy Eleanor Torres describes the new book “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Port of Long Beach Managing Director, Strategic Advocacy Eleanor Torres, right, describes the new book “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba speaks during the debut of the Port of Long Beach’s book “Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,” at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Port of Long Beach, one of the nation’s busiest — handling more than $300 billion in annual trade — is also gaining a name for itself in pushing environmental changes, also partnering with the Port of L.A. on those causes. (Both ports sit side by side in the San Pedro Bay.)
Copies of the book were distributed to Long Beach Unified School District elementary and K-8 campuses.
The port produced 2,500 copies for LBUSD schools, with Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog editions in development to reflect the city’s diverse families.
The theme reflects the improvements made in San Pedro Bay, including a 60% increase in marine species since 2000 and reductions in air pollution over the past two decades, even as cargo traffic has grown 44%. The goal, port officials said in a news release, is to help young residents better understand how changes at the port affect the coastline and air quality in their own community.
Speakers at the book’s unveiling included Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent Jill Baker, Birney Elementary School principal Katrina Hernandez and Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba.
Copies will be available in school libraries across the district.