“It was a pleasure being part of a collection of books about threatened species, and writing about such a peculiar creature. Besides having enjoyed writing this book, I also learned a great deal. I had no idea that some of them could grow up to 30 centimeters in length. I liked to find out from the fact that the eastern Algarve plays such an important role in the preservation of seahorse species — my maternal family is from the Algarve. Ria Formosa is a priceless pearl, another treasure that the south of the country holds. Its preservation is fundamental.”
Joana Bértholo

“I feel that to illustrate a book about seahorses is unfair. They’ve been so well-designed by nature that the competition has already been won. But illustrating a book like this is very important if we want to avoid a situation in which one day we find that these animals are a mythological species that only exists in photographs in books and on the internet. They seem far too extraordinary to exist, and that’s why we have to preserve them.”
Mariana Malhão

What strange creature is this? Strange? No! This is a fantastic creature that has seemingly magical powers. It can change colour, for example, disguising as a seaweed or coral. And it is the male of the species that gets pregnant. Have you guessed what it is yet? Some more clues: it’s got a tail, but it doesn’t shake it; it’s a fish, but it doesn’t have scales. It is the... yes, the fabulous seahorse!

JOANA BÉRTHOLO (Portugal)
is a writer of novels, short stories and children’s books. She also writes for dance and theatre. MARIANA MALHÃO (Portugal) is an illustrator and co-founder of the Senhora Presidenta art gallery in Oporto.