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At only 26 years old, Schulich Law student Ashoke Mohanraj has held a variety of jobs in his life so far, from camp counsellor to spin instructor to environmental advisor to two-time children’s book author. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign for his latest creative project, he can add aspiring animated filmmaker to that list.

Mohanraj unexpectedly entered the children’s entertainment and education space after earning his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo. He discovered a creative outlet that combined his love of writing with his passion for the environment, resulting in a best-selling children’s book called Pollinator Man. The story encourages children to see themselves as sustainability superheroes, highlighting that we all have a hero within us and that true heroes show compassion for others, as well as the planet.

Inspired by the success of his first book, Mohanraj released his second book Dolphin Dude on September 12, 2023, with support from Ocean Wise and Age of Union, to celebrate World Dolphin Day. The story centres on the importance of marine conservation, this time encouraging readers to save the world’s oceans.

“I believe young audiences connect and identify with Dolphin Dude because, at his core, he is just an average, everyday dolphin,” he explains. “He doesn’t have any special powers or abilities. He’s just an ordinary dude who wants to help when he sees trouble and does his best to protect his home, the ocean.”

Dolphin Dude and his marine mates (Provided Photo)

Like his latest protagonist, Mohanraj believes in ocean conservation and is concerned about the dangers of overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change. He is currently in his second year at the Schulich School of Law pursuing a Marine and Environmental Law specialization, focusing on the intersection of climate, peace, and security, particularly in the Arctic region. As a Canadian with Sri Lankan heritage, whose parents were refugees of their country’s genocide, he is keen to explore strategies for supporting climate resilience and sustainability in island states.

While writing children’s books and practicing law may seem worlds apart, Mohanraj says they share a critical commonality: every great lawyer and advocate is a storyteller at heart.

“In law, your client is the character, the legal issue is the plot, and the remedy you propose is the resolution,” he explains. “Just as a fairytale is only as impactful as its narrative, a legal argument is only as compelling as the way it is presented. Crafting a persuasive argument requires the same creativity, structure, and clarity as crafting a memorable story.”

Earlier this month, Dolphin Dude: The Movie successfully met its crowdfunding target and Mohanraj is now preparing to make the book into a short film that he hopes will someday be used by teachers as an educational tool in their classrooms, and eventually become a full-length movie.

His wish for the book and the movie is that they will inspire a new generation of environmental stewards – individuals who want to protect the planet and recognize that everyone has a role to play.

“I don't want anyone to feel ashamed or embarrassed talking about things they care about,” he shares. “Ultimately, my goal is to show people that caring about something you are passionate about is the coolest thing you can do. Every wave of change begins with a single ripple of courage.”