{"id":205514,"date":"2026-03-05T12:07:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T12:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/205514\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T12:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T12:07:09","slug":"port-of-long-beach-debuts-childrens-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/205514\/","title":{"rendered":"Port of Long Beach Debuts Children\u2019s Book –"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>“Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port,\u201d a new children\u2019s book. Photo courtesy of POLB <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Port of Long Beach on March 3 debuted Soleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port, a new children\u2019s book highlighting the port\u2019s environmental achievements and ongoing commitment to sustainable operations.<\/p>\n

Coinciding with Read Across America Week, the book was introduced to students during an assembly at Birney Elementary School in Long Beach. Copies will be available in elementary and K-8 school libraries across the Long Beach Unified School District.<\/p>\n

Developed through the port\u2019s communications and community relations division, the story is aimed at a third-grade audience and follows a fictional sea lion named Soleil who wants to meet friends also living in the ocean. When the Port of Long Beach enacts several measures to enhance water and air quality as the nation\u2019s first Green Port, Soleil develops friendships with marine mammals, birds and other sea creatures gradually returning to the harbor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough the eyes of Soleil the Sea Lion, young readers can learn how far we\u2019ve come in fulfilling our Green Port promise of a cleaner harbor through air, water and habitat restoration programs,\u201d said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. \u201cThe next generation of Long Beach residents \u2013 the children attending our schools \u2013 will benefit from the hard work we\u2019re doing today to achieve our goal of zero-emissions operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRead Across America Week reminds us that reading can open doors to our communities, lifelong learning and other opportunities,\u201d said LBUSD Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker. \u201cWith all of the educational partnerships we have with the Port, we are proud to help launch this book.\u201d<\/p>\n

The return of sea life represented in the book is based on comprehensive biological studies to measure the harbor\u2019s health. A recent San Pedro Bay ports complex-wide study identified 1,000 species of fish, birds, invertebrates and marine mammals, a 60% increase since 2000.<\/p>\n

The port\u2019s commitment to sustainable operations and environmental stewardship also includes the clean truck program, shore power for ships, cleaner fuels and additional measures to improve the quality of air and water.<\/p>\n

Since 2005, the port has helped reduce pollution from diesel particulate matter by 90%, nitrogen oxides by 68% and sulfur oxides by 98%, all while cargo traffic has increased 44%.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoleil the Sea Lion Explores the Green Port\u201d was written by port media relations manager Art Marroquin and illustrated by Long Beach artist Michelle Dinh. The port produced an initial 2,500 copies of the book for local schools and community events. Additional copies will be printed in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, and plans are underway to create online and audio versions.<\/p>\n

At the moment, distribution of the book is limited to port events and LBUSD libraries. Additional opportunities for obtaining copies will be announced soon.<\/p>\n

In acknowledgement of the book\u2019s launch, the port is sponsoring the LBUSD Bookmark Contest, a districtwide art competition incorporating the themes of reading and environmental responsibility in recognition of Earth Day. About 60,000 students from pre-kindergarten to high school seniors have an opportunity to design a bookmark with the theme \u201cOur Power, Our Planet.\u201d The contest is now open and the deadline for submissions is April 2. Winners from each grade will be announced on April 20. For more information, students and parents are advised to ask their campus librarians.<\/p>\n

Details: For more information, visit www.polb.com\/education<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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