The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova

Chasing the Vanishing Sea

Boat illustration for The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova

In the summer of 2023, I set out on a solo journey across Central Asia to find what remains of the Aral Sea, once one of the world’s largest lakes, now a desert of salt and sand.

It was August and it was unbearably hot. I packed my winter boots to keep my feet from burning in the Aral Desert, long sleeves to shield my skin from the sun, and a camera to record what was left behind.

This journey became the heart of The Vanishing Sea a children’s picture book about water, memory, and the fragility of nature. Through story and art I wanted to honor the sea that gave life to my homeland. And maybe to remind readers of our shared responsibility to care for the Earth’s disappearing wonders.

Dinara Mirtalipova,
the Author and Illustrator of The Vanishing Sea

Dinara Mirtalipova @mirdinara visiting Moynak the graveyard of ships near the Aral Sea
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book cover

The Vanishing Sea
The Tale of How the Aral Sea
became the Aral Desert

  • 5 - 8 years old
    Kindergarten - 3

  • 8.75 x 0.38 x 11.25 inches
    40 pages

  • Published by Chronicle Books
    Publication Date: February 3, 2026

Where to find: Check your local bookshops and show support!

Fish Illustration for The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book cover
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
The map of the shrinking Aral Sea for The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations
Wanted Missing Sea The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova book illustrations

Get in touch

For event invitations, media inquiries, or creative collaborations, please reach out using the form below. If my work or The Vanishing Sea has resonated with you, I’d also love to hear your thoughts or stories.

Video Animation for The Vanishing Sea The Tale of How the Aral Sea became the Aral Desert by Dinara Mirtalipova

Video animation by Nicholas Leysen and Gregory Leysen