Spotlight on the Ocean
7 Books that Inspire a Love of the Ocean and Promote Conservation
Do you have themes to your reading and play? We haven't done that much in the past, but an ocean theme emerged naturally over the past few weeks, starting with a few books and some LEGO sets and leading to movie night screening My Octopus Teacher and math practice via epic pirate battles where pirates solved equations to determine how much Halloween candy to steal. Over three weeks, we read a number of ocean-themed books. Here are 7 particularly worthwhile books – they inspire both a love of the ocean and a desire to protect our planet's waters. Clickable titles take you to our original reviews.
1. The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer
The art drew us in and the content kept us. Two-page spreads introduce different creatures, such as crabs, seals, and deep-sea fish. Text is brief and interesting.
2. Exploring the Deep, Dark Sea by Gail Gibbons
A team of oceanographers descends in a submersible. As they drop through the different zones (sunlight, twilight, etc.), readers are introduced to life in that zone. Brief paragraphs strike an ideal balance between maintaining interest, providing enough information, and using age-appropriate vocabulary. We've read a number of deep-sea books, and this has the best narrative.
2. Exploring the Deep, Dark Sea by Gail Gibbons
A team of oceanographers descends in a submersible. As they drop through the different zones (sunlight, twilight, etc.), readers are introduced to life in that zone. Brief paragraphs strike an ideal balance between maintaining interest, providing enough information, and using age-appropriate vocabulary. We've read a number of deep-sea books, and this has the best narrative.
The art: rich colors and minute details
The story: at once fantastical and realistic
The message: a cry to prevent further damage to the earth, packaged in an inviting story
4. Strange Animals of the Sea published by National Geographic
The story: at once fantastical and realistic
The message: a cry to prevent further damage to the earth, packaged in an inviting story
4. Strange Animals of the Sea published by National Geographic
This classic action book (pop-ups and moving parts) introduces readers to ocean life in several habitats through stunning visuals and fascinating content. This copy is mine from childhood and always sparked my curiosity about the reefs and kelp forests; now it delights my son. I can never praise these old Nat Geo action books enough!
5. Adelita by Jenny Goebel and Ana Miminoshvili
Blue-hued pages evoke the ocean as the story pulls events and facts together into a compelling narrative that can amaze readers of all ages. A young loggerhead turtle (Adelita) is rescued off the coast of California, rehabilitated in Mexico, and released after being fitted with a tracker. News of her journey inspires conservation efforts throughout the Pacific.
6. Crab Cake by Andrea Tsurumi
Crab Cake is one book whose anthropomorphic animals underscore its message. At first, the fish are swimming and doing fishy-things. When the humans dump their trash, disrupting the habitat, however, the natural behaviors are also disrupted. They start talking to each other, working to solve a problem logically, and pairing up with their natural predators. Once the ocean is clean, they return to their realistic selves. These changes drive home the message of just how unnatural and disruptive polluting the ocean is.
7. Microplastics and Me by Anna Du
Eminently readable, Microplastics and Me is a first-person narrative explaining why Anna Du became passionate about ocean pollution and how she addresses the problem of microplastics. This middle-grade book (I can't categorize it as a novel, but it reads like one) explains the evolution of microplastics, the challenges of recycling, and the possibilities for ocean cleanup through the lens of Anna's science fair project. I recommend Microplastics and Me for middle-grade readers who are even remotely interested in the ocean, pollution, science, or engineering.
5. Adelita by Jenny Goebel and Ana Miminoshvili
Blue-hued pages evoke the ocean as the story pulls events and facts together into a compelling narrative that can amaze readers of all ages. A young loggerhead turtle (Adelita) is rescued off the coast of California, rehabilitated in Mexico, and released after being fitted with a tracker. News of her journey inspires conservation efforts throughout the Pacific.
6. Crab Cake by Andrea Tsurumi
Crab Cake is one book whose anthropomorphic animals underscore its message. At first, the fish are swimming and doing fishy-things. When the humans dump their trash, disrupting the habitat, however, the natural behaviors are also disrupted. They start talking to each other, working to solve a problem logically, and pairing up with their natural predators. Once the ocean is clean, they return to their realistic selves. These changes drive home the message of just how unnatural and disruptive polluting the ocean is.
7. Microplastics and Me by Anna Du
Eminently readable, Microplastics and Me is a first-person narrative explaining why Anna Du became passionate about ocean pollution and how she addresses the problem of microplastics. This middle-grade book (I can't categorize it as a novel, but it reads like one) explains the evolution of microplastics, the challenges of recycling, and the possibilities for ocean cleanup through the lens of Anna's science fair project. I recommend Microplastics and Me for middle-grade readers who are even remotely interested in the ocean, pollution, science, or engineering.
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