The Big Aquarium Adventure

Alex and Jordan explore Stephen's visit to a big aquarium with an interview and research. Stephen shares his thoughts about marine life, and how frogs kept him calm after someone suggests that he touch a clearnose skate. Jordan creates a report with five North American animals' size, habitat, and life cycle. Then together, Alex and Jordan write a story titled, Stephen's Visit to the Aquarium!

The Big Aquarium Adventure is designed for neurodivergent or reluctant readers with embedded comprehension strategies at the beginning and end of each chapter. This 96-page, 2700 word fully illustrated book takes informational fiction to a new level by combining nonfiction and storytelling within the same book with an interview, expository nonfiction, and storytelling. The backmatter contains resources including a glossary, story mountain, look-back questions, story summary, and tips for adults to support struggling readers.

The text is based on 4th and 5th grade content but written at a 2nd to 3rd grade level. Illustrations are exquisite and support the text by adding additional humor and context. This is the first book in the Alex and Jordan Explore series, which is sensory friendly and models how to handle anxiety. Independent readers will love the ease of learning about Stephen's visit to The Big Aquarium in Baltimore, while parents and educators can reinforce the Think Aheads and Think Behinds with engaging conversation.

This book is the result of Roop's undergraduate thesis, Developmental Texts for Students with Autism; A Safe Space in the Written World, which is available at nancyroop.com/about. Even though this book is for and about neurodivergent reluctant readers, all readers ready for early chapter books will enjoy this fun adventure at the aquarium.

In May 2025, The Big Aquarium Adventure earned the IBPA Gold Medal for Interior Design and also a Silver Medal in the Animal and Pet Catagory.