An ancient, and vital, part of nature’s ecosystem, seaweed is now emerging as an increasingly important source of food in a world faced with diminishing natural resources.

In Seaweed Chronicles, acclaimed nature writer Susan Hand Shetterly opens a window into the world of this fascinating organism by providing an elegant, often poetic look at life on the rugged shore of the Gulf of Maine. Shetterly offers a close look at the life cycle of seaweed, and introduces us to the men and women who farm and harvest it–and their increasingly difficult task of protecting this critical natural resource against forces both natural and man-made. Ideal for readers of such books as The Hidden Life of Trees and How to Read Water, Seaweed Chronicles is a beautiful tribute to a little-known part of our country and a significant contribution to our understanding of our natural habitat.

Susan Hand Shetterly is the author of the essay collections Settled in the Wild and The New Year’s Owl, as well as several children’s books, including Shelterwood, named an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children by the Children’s Book Council. She lives in Maine. She will speak about her book at Porter Square Books, 25 White Street in Cambridge, on Monday, August 20 at 7 pm. More information at https://www.portersquarebooks.com/event/susan-shetterly-seaweed-chronicles