Picture Books Delve Into the Ocean …

Breathe

By Scott Magoon
Simon & Schuster. $16.99 , Ages: 4-8

This beautifully illustrated picture book invites the reader to accompany a little white whale as he explores his new ocean habitat with his ever-watchful mother. Follow him as he learns to breach and then dive deep where all sorts of wonders await him.

The little whale will discover an old shipwreck, schools of small fish, and many other interesting marine creatures. When he encounters a Polar Bear on the surface, the whale’s mother is there to suggest the curious little fellow move in another direction.

You’ll notice that this book has a minimal text but that’s not a major concern. The illustrations are easy to interpret and they will hold the child’s attention as he or she pages through this volume and learns about the whale’s watery home.

My First Discoveries-Sharks

Ute Fuhr and Raoul Sautai
Moonlight Publishing. $12.99, Ages: 3-5

If your youngster can’t get enough of Shark Week on television, this book will satisfy his or her desire for more information about these marine creatures that date back to prehistoric times. There are more than 500 different kinds of sharks and they range from the size of a kitten to behemoths that are as long as a bus and weigh as much as two elephants.

This fascinating little book provides an introduction to some of the more common species of sharks. Transparent flip pages along with interesting facts and tidbits about sharks make this a captivating volume and one the young reader will return to again and again.

Most sharks offer no threat to humans and are actually quite harmless but, as we all know, there are a few exceptions. The reader will learn not only about the shark’s anatomy but also what it looks for at mealtime and how it procreates.

Whether you purchase this to add to your shark library or plan to use it as a general introduction to sharks, you’ll discover that this is an excellent reference book and one the entire family will find interesting.

Octopus Garden

By Ringo Starr; Illustrated by Ben Cort
Aladdin. $17.99, Ages: 4-8

The star of this picture book is not the Beatle’s former drummer who apparently wrote the sparse text for this underwater story but Ben Cort’s illustrations. A little boy imagines visiting the sea floor where he hopes to find an octopus.

The octopus’s garden showcases a number of wonders from other sea creatures to old ruins, submerged treasure, and colorful coral reef to sea turtles and small fish. The perfect host, the octopus reads a book to the child and his friends and acts as their guide to his ocean domicile.

This book comes with a CD featuring Ringo singing the song and reading the text this book features. That’s all well and good, but you’ll find the real selling point of the “Octopus Garden” is Ben Cort’s art. That’s why you’ll want to purchase the book, not because Ringo Starr’s name is prominently displayed on the cover!

Hide and Seek Harry at the Beach

By Kenny Harrison
Candlewick Press. $6.99, Ages: 2-5

When Harry the hippo goes to the beach he loves to play hide and seek. Actually, Harry likes playing this game anywhere. Whether he slips behind a palm tree, scrunches down behind a beach ball or buries himself in sand, poor Harry isn’t fooling anyone.

That’s OK, though, because he’s still having fun and so will your toddler when he or she thumbs through this board book. You’ll quickly discover that Harry will become one of your child’s favorite characters and this book will be in demand at story time over and over again.

There’s also a second title, “Hide and Seek Harry Around the House”, that you might also want to purchase for your child or grandchild.

Sea Slime: It’s Eeuwy, Gooey, and Under the Sea

By Ellen Prager
Abordale. $9.95, Ages: 5 and up

Young readers will discover that more than fish, crabs and starfish inhabit the ocean. Some of the “gooey” sea creatures the author discusses include jellyfish, sea slugs, snails, and the parrotfish that uses a cocoon of goo to protect itself when sleeping.

There’s also the clownfish that finds a layer of goo prevents it from getting hurt and acts as a wet suit of sorts when it nestles in the stinging arms of an anemone. Hagfish, moray eels, squid, and some types of coral also employ goo in some fashion to protect themselves or find their next meal.

In the “For Creative Minds” section of this book you’ll discover some interactive activities and other activities to engage the youngster in this subject matter.

This is the perfect book to read before a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You child will have a greater understanding of some of the exhibits after you’ve enjoyed “Sea Slime”.

Ocean Creatures: A 3-D Pocket Guide

By Sarah Young
Candlewick Press. $8.99, Ages: 5-9

This clever little guide introduces a dozen ocean creatures using an unfolding format. Paper engineered by Gus Clarke, the fold out has pop-ups on both sides so it should be displayed where both sides can be viewed.

Accompanying each pop-up you’ll find information about the shark, jellyfish, dolphin or other species pictured. Since it is a 3D pop-up, the critters “jump out” at the viewer. There’s also a glossary on one side and listing of which oceans the fish can be found in on the other. The fold out comes in a special protective case as well.

All in all, this is a clever way of introducing one child or a whole class to marine creatures. It would make a lovely display in the classroom or at home.