Tag Archives: Ocean Life

Elem. – How the Sea Came to Be (and All the Creatures in It)

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Berne, Jennifer. How the Sea Came to Be (and All the Creatures in It). Illustrated by Amanda Hall. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-802-85478-0. $18.99. 56 p. Grades 2-5.

4.6 billion years ago our Earth was formed. For the next 600 million years the Earth’s surface was hot enough to melt rock. As the Earth began to cool, water formed from condensation, creating clouds and rain. Our oceans were born, and along with them came the first signs of single-cell life. Two billion years ago oxygen began to fill the oceans and atmosphere leading to more complex lifeforms in the oceans. This beautiful nonfiction picture book tells the story of the creation of the oceans and the life within them in rhymed verse. From the fiery start in bold reds and oranges, through the cooling period in icy shades of blue, and the eventual growth of life in luscious greens, the illustrations depict thousands of pre-historic and current day ocean creatures with detailed accuracy. End notes from the author and illustrator explain that our understanding of how the oceans formed is constantly evolving. This book’s information is based on what is currently known about the formation of the Earth, our oceans, and ocean life. Extensively illustrated factual information, recommendations for further research, reading, and viewing for students and educators as well as a selected biography, timeline, and glossary are all included.

THOUGHTS: A treasure trove of extensively researched information in a beautifully illustrated verse story. Useful as a read aloud, read alone, or elementary research resource.

551.46 Oceans

Elem. – Hooked on Books

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Greanias, Margaret Chiu. Hooked on Books. Illustrated by Kristyna Litten. Peachtree, 2023. 978-1-682-63367-0. $18.99. 32 p. Grades K-3.

Pearl is an anglerfish who loves to read. Using the light of her lure, she attempts to settle down to enjoy a good book but is constantly interrupted by her ocean friends. Pearl longs for peace and quiet, so she dives deeper and deeper into the ocean zones, seeking a place to be alone. Whether she hides beneath seaweed or seeks the refuge of a shipwreck, Pearl is continually disturbed by a variety of amusing, illuminated creatures. At last, Pearl finds a dark and cozy nook where she can finally be alone to read her book. When Pearl finishes reading the book, she realizes she is all alone and is in fact lonely. Pearl longs to tell others about the book she enjoyed. Rising through the ocean zones, she finds her friends and offers to start a book club so everyone can share their love of books.

THOUGHTS: This book is absolutely delightful. Filled with information about the ocean that is cleverly woven into the story, the many puns and amusing illustrations will amuse children and adults alike. Deliciously detailed and adorable pencil, ink-texture, and digital illustrations by Kristyna Litten will entice readers.

Picture Book

Elem. – Brave Every Day

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Ludwig, Trudy. Brave Every Day. Alfred A. Knopf, 2022. 978-0-593-30637-6. $24.99. 40 p. Grades PK-2.

Camila worries all the time. When she worries, she likes to hide. Her world is filled with what ifs and can’t. Classmates make fun of Camila. Her teacher doesn’t seem to understand or notice how anxious she is. When a field trip to an aquarium overwhelms Camila, she tries to hide behind a potted plant. She isn’t alone. Kai, who loves everything about the ocean and its inhabitants, is also overwhelmed by the crowd, the noise, and the opportunity to touch a real live stingray. Kai begs Camila to go with him to the Sea Friends Meet & Greet exhibit. Camila is nervous, but realizes helping her friend makes her want to try to overcome her own fear. Camila steps out of her comfort zone and enters the exhibit with Kai. Here she learns about a sea creature who hides to protect itself: the octopus. Camilla returns to school eager to share what she has learned, and encouraged to try to be brave when she has the urge to hide. End notes include questions for discussion, and a recommended reading list.

THOUGHTS: Many children bravely face challenges big and small at school every day. This social-emotional book can provide comfort for children with anxiety, with simple language to use when feeling worried or overwhelmed. The book can also help to educate peers on the difficulties their classmates encounter and the bravery they show every day in many small ways. Beautifully illustrated in cool, layered, aquarium tones by Patrice Barton.

Picture Book          Anne McKernan, Council Rock SD

Picture Books – Giant Squid; Billions of Bricks

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Fleming, Candace & Eric Rohmann. Giant Squid. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2016. 978-1-59643-599-5. Unpaged. $18.99. Gr. 1-4.

Meet the mysterious and little known giant squid. Fleming and Rohmann introduce this fascinating creature bit by bit teasing the reader with facts about the different body parts. Rarely seen by human eyes, the giant squid illustrations by Rohmann are sure to capture the attention of readers no matter what age (including a large four-page spread). The writing is lyrical and smooth and there is a wonderful author’s note in the back for those who want to know more.

THOUGHTS: This award* winning book is fun to read at any age. Perfect classroom book for science or library.  

*Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor

Non-Fiction Picture Book      Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

 

Cyrus, Kurt. Billions of Bricks: A Counting Book About Building. New York: Henry Holt & Co, 2016. 978-1627-7927-38. Unpaged. $16.99. Gr. Pre-2.

A cute story incorporating skip-counting and building with bricks. Count by 2s, 5s, and 10s, and learn how bricks are made and used. Different styles of architecture are used to show this type of building material can be used. At the end a whole city (streets and all) emerges, but watch out for that extra brick!  THOUGHTS: I liked how how the workers were diverse in all senses, race, gender, and age. It’s fun to read aloud with Kindergarteners who are learning to skip count and count in groups.

Picture Book      Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School