Tag Archives: Oceans

Apr11

Coral Reefs [Usborne Beginners]

Posted on by
Standard

Harper Collins

April 2023

RRP: $9.99

  1. ISBN: 9781474999366
  2. ISBN 10: 1474999360
  3. Imprint: Usborne GB

Given that we are Queenslanders, we have a certain affinity with coral and the beauty of the reef and its inhabitants is something we all treasure (and want to protect). One way to do that is to educate our youngsters and encourage them to also value this natural wonder. Of course, ours is not the only coral reef and they are all fascinating ecosystems, filled with curious and amazing creatures and species.

This is one of a marvellous series of non-fiction books that cater particularly to emergent independent readers with easily accessible text and facts, stunning photographic images and attractive, engaging illustrations. A further plus is that by using the Quicklinks at the end, children and their parents can access many interesting websites and activities to further explore this natural wonder.

One of over 80 titles, it would be a great thing to see how many will fit the interests of your little people and add to your collection. We all know the appeal of quality non-fiction for these smallest readers.

Highly recommended for your kiddos from around Year 1 upwards and of course, fits beautifully with curriculum topics on Ocean, Australian natural features or the Environment.

Feb16

The Last Whale – Chris Vick

Posted on by
Standard

Bloomsbury Australia

November 2022

Imprint: Head of Zeus

ISBN: 9781803281612

RRP: AU $26.99 NZ $29.99

WhtT

This is a terrific read which combines a lot of very topical issues into a passionate call to arms in a vital environmental crisis.

Spanning three generations the story of the Kristensen family and their close connection with the great whales, the narrative starts in the present with Abi. Bordering on computer genius, feisty eco-activist Abi has modified the AI device she’s been given to use as part of her winning the Newtek Challenge. She has quite legitimately used it to collect data on bees and other nature aspects as was part of her winning brief but she has also used her IT creativity to alter the AI, dubbed Moonlight by Abi’s little sister, to respond to her commands above anyone else’s and to ignore any communication from Newtek – definitely not legitimate in the eyes of the mega-corporation.

Abi’s eco-terrorism has resulted in the family’s holiday (a bid to curb her passionate recklessness) on her grandmother’s remote Norwegian island where she discovers a whaling connection to the past. Her grandfather’s notes and recordings of the great whales, their migrations and family groups from a past in which he rejected whaling in favour of preserving these animals.

The narrative concludes in the future with Abi’s daughter, Tori, taking up the mantle of protecting, preserving and tracking the remaining great whales with the aid of a now almost fully conscious and independent thinking Moonlight.

This is lyrical and poignant with beautiful writing which compels the reader to fully absorb the implications of current human wilful disregard of warning signs. At the same time, it sends a very clear message about hope and the urgent need for us all to take on board the duty of care we have towards to our planet and all its inhabitants. It is powerful and reflects the author’s own commitment to dolphin and whale conversation as well as his involvement with Authors4Oceans.

You will have many takers for this one and it would work wonderfully with a unit of work focused on these important topics, as well as some interesting discussion (especially in light of recent developments) on ethical use of AI. I could also easily see students leading the way in forming some kind of active alliance to support the efforts in this direction. Highly recommended for astute readers from around 13 years upwards.

Nov25

Moon Sailors – Naomi Woodward. Illustrated by Rachel Gregg

Posted on by
Standard

Ford St Publishing

October 2022

ISBN: 9781922696182

RRP: $16.95

If you are exploring the depths of the ocean or the limitless skies or if you simply are looking for a beautiful lyrical book to share with our kiddos, this would be a wonderful choice. It offers so much for even very young readers with elegant poetical prose, enchanting descriptive language and a richness of imagination that will provide much scope for exciting conversation.

As well as this gorgeous linguistic aspect there are the creatures to be discovered and researched – many of them not so well-known: chitons, periwinkles, and jelly moons along with such wondrous aquatic marvels as Neptune’s necklace or iridescent algae. I can already picture a beautiful wall of art going up in the classroom or library to reflect this

But the two children on their journey of imagination are not just relishing the ocean, they are sailing across the night sky, past the constellations and heading towards Earthrise. The illustrations are every bit as captivating as the text with the subtle shades of ocean greens and blues and the night skies’ indigos, blues and pinks. Each spread is a feast for the eyes and you and your readers will delight in close examination of them picking out delicate details.

I have yet to share this one with a class, but hoping I get to visit my little school just over my back fence this coming week or so, with its strong focus on the ocean, being right on the waterfront as it is. I know the children there will just love it as much as I do.

There are some activities free to download but you will be able to conjure up so many follow-up activities to this one as it just lends itself to so many learning experiences whether English, science, STEAM or Environmental studies.

Highly recommended for little readers from Prep upwards.

Click to access GleamingAbaloneColouring.pdf

Click to access RockpoolColouring.pdf

Click to access MoonSailorsWordSearch.pdf

Nov5

How We Came to Be: Surprising Sea Creatures – Sami Bayley

Posted on by
Standard

Hachette

September 2022

Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books

ISBN 9780734421364 

RRP $19.99

A delightful 1/2 class, at a local school which has a special focus on all things ‘ocean’, as it is located right on the very seafront, and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the depths of the brine with Sami.

Dive on in and find out about each of the underwater zones and the weird, wonderful creatures who inhabit them, as well as how those creatures have adapted and evolved over time to suit their habitat.

We enjoyed so much rich discussion as we took our time over each double spread. Along the way we interrupted our reading to measure out just how long a giant oarfish is, and to see if we could flatten ourselves like flounders (which was a nice opportunity to talk about alliteration!) and to talk about what the children (and the school) are doing to help preserve the ocean on our doorstep.

The marvellous creatures are shown with great detail and each one is accompanied by neat facts, which add even more to the wealth of information being shared. It is, of course, quite difficult for little humans as young as these to grasp the concept of millions of years or indeed, thousands of metres down below the water’s surface but they can realise the scope and enormity of this part of our natural world.

This is another of Sami’s lavishly visual offerings with her trademark superior illustrations and I, for one, just love her self-representation right down to her distinctive hair and winged eyeliner!

Having stolen just half an hour or so to pore over this and seen the fascination exhibited by my audience, I would love the opportunity to incorporate this into a more extended learning experience.

HIghly recommended for readers from as young as 5 or 6 years old, and naturally, particularly useful if you are exploring a unit of inquiry focused on the Ocean.

Sep6

More Puffin Littles!

Posted on by
Standard

Penguin Australia

These new Puffin collections for the younger readers in your mob are just terrific! Not so long ago I reviewed Puffin Little Cook: Snacks which took its place with our cookbooks to aid The Kid in her learning to be self-sufficient. These would be just as useful in her home school program as though her reading competence has exploded spectacularly, simpler information texts are still the ones I supply. Beautifully designed and with a format that lends itself to clear understanding of big concepts, this series will not only intrigue younger readers but will prove a valuable component in relevant classroom units.

Puffin Little Scientist: The Solar System

July 2020

  • ISBN: 9781760897031
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • RRP: $12.99

First up is this super exploration of our Solar System sectioned into easy-to-digest chapters starting with an overview and then of course details of our centrepiece, the sun. Following this, the planets are grouped together in their categories of rocky planets and gas giants concluding with a great section of fast facts. Each celestial body’s description begins with a simple fact spread and then goes onto to expand on various fascinating informational snippets.

Perfect for the budding astronomer, for your class unit on space for little ones or simply for those filled with scientific curiosity.

Puffin Little Scientist: Robotics

September 2020

ISBN: 9781760897680

Imprint: Puffin

RRP: $12.99

Surely one of the hottest topics in schools with both little and big kids getting into this area of science, this is going to be a real boon for the programs involving those primary kiddos (such as those at my school).

Find out exactly what is a robot, what makes them work, robots in various settings e.g. home, agriculture, fire-fighting and more, programming and a whole lot more.

Aside from the kiddos, if like me you’re a bit of a robot novice this provides a terrific, easy-to-understand and comprehensive overview of this super interesting topic.

Puffin Little Explorer: The OceanSeptember 2020

ISBN: 9781760897666

Imprint: Puffin

RRP: $12.99

From the heights of space to the depths of the sea, little scientists can explore underwater with this one, with facts that range from the biodiversity of the oceans to geographical features such as hydrothermal vents and seamounts. Readers will love the sections on Atlantis, the Arctic Ocean with creatures such as the narwhal (such a hugely popular creature with my students!) and additionally inspiration for protecting our precious oceans.

Again this would be a fabulous adjunct to any unit of work on the ocean as well your readers interested in the natural world.

Puffin Little Environmentalist: Composting July 2020

ISBN: 9781760897017

Imprint: Puffin

RRP: $12.99

And last but certainly not least, particularly in view of the popularity of being more caring and mindful in our current parlous times, this valuable volume on the ways and means of composting will be gold for either units of work or indeed, your environmental group.

Carefully explaining the science of composting including concepts such as micro-organisms and the needed components as well as big issue ideas like greenhouse gases, your young activists will jump onto this and be keen to put their new knowledge into transformative action.

I can’t tell you how impressed I am with these little books. In my experience, quality and contemporary non-fiction for our youngest readers is not always easy to come by and these with their attractive design and clear format are just fantastic additions to your shelves.

Highly recommended for curious minds from around six years upwards as well as inclusion in your classroom.

Mar1

Jelly-Boy – Nicole Godwin/Christopher Nielsen

Posted on by
Standard

1566774947392

Walker Books

February 2020

ISBN: 9781760651237
Imprint: Walker Books Australia
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

 

Thirty years ago today the Clean Up Australia event started and has gone from strength to strength helping our country become cleaner. Though the world at large is struggling under the massive impact of increased populations and waste there are still ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help redress the dire predicament in which we find ourselves. Witness the success of Boyan Slat and his Great Ocean Clean Up idea and Greta Thunberg’s impact on a world audience and we can have hope that the current generation will continue to work towards a cleaner healthier planet.

What better place to start then than with our little people and that’s where a gorgeous picture book like Jelly-Boy comes in. The littlest Early Childhood readers will be able to grasp the import of the dangers of plastic in the natural environment in a way which is not ‘preachy’ but rather an usual love story which is further elucidated in the facts page at the end of the book.

A little sea jelly decides that the new Jelly-Boy in the ocean is both attractive and special but before too long realises that this newcomer is not alone and in fact, is just one of a dangerous influx that poses a real threat to the natural ocean ecosystem.

I well remember living in the ACT when plastic bags were first banned and the ridiculous furore that ensued – repeated here in Queensland in the past year or so. But for some of us rejecting single use plastics as often as possible was not only de rigeur but just plain commonsense.  Luckily the majority of citizens have realised the good sense of such innovations and our children are growing up with not only an acceptance but an understanding of the reasons for such moves.

If you are working on units that encompass care of the environment, recycling or similar – or perhaps simply as an adjunct to your teaching small humans the meaning of being responsible in their world this is a superb book on which to base your discussions.

Highly recommended for all readers from around 3 years upwards.

 

Sep16

Australian Backyard Earth Scientist – Peter Macinnis

Posted on by
Standard

9780642279347

NLA

February 2019

ISBN:   9780642279347

 

RRP: $29.99

It’s taken a long time to get this beauty into my hands but at last I have been able to savour it’s wealth of information and there are two reasons why it’s most timely to be able to review it now.

One is that the esteemed author has just picked up the Educational Publishing award for a student resource – jolly well done Peter! Secondly, the school holidays are approaching which is frabjous news for some of us (educators) but perhaps not so much for parents who may be dreading the ‘I’m borrrrrrrrred’ refrain and this volume will  prove to be the perfect choice for any curious reader of around ten years upwards.

With his habitual diligence, dedication to accuracy, passion for science and nature and an unerring ability to engage and interest his audience, Peter takes his readers on a wide-ranging virtual field trip from the beginnings of Earth to the current concerns of climate change.  Throughout youngsters will be treated to fun facts, easy to understand explanations, fun and interesting projects to complete themselves as well as a veritable treasure trove of earth science information.

Peter’s particular passion for sharing his knowledge and often quirky snippets is well known amongst his friends (much to our continued delight and amazement!) but it is his commitment to bringing science to young people that is absolutely one of his most stellar qualities.

As is to be expected from all the NLA’s catalogue this a quality production all round with styling, illustrations, diagrams and layout all completely ‘en pointe’ and children will thoroughly revel in dipping into their favourite sections.  As long as parents don’t mind a little digging, observing, tracking or requests for outings to places of natural interest, all holiday ‘woes’ will be solved and who knows? may well be fostering a life long love of all things scientific.

I highly recommend this for readers from around ten years upwards though the age is fluid – any able reader will relish it and that includes curious, interested adults.

69553844_10158998713474546_1818911859512705024_n

Jul5

Down by the sea…

Posted on by
Standard

IMG_20180616_134005.jpg

It may be winter but living near the sea does have its advantages especially when you are in Queensland so my mood today is for those things that are of the ocean.

Tropical Terry – Jarvis

terry

Walker Books

ISBN: 9781406376425
Imprint: Walker
Release Date: July 1, 2018
Australian RRP: $24.99

Terry is a very plain little fish who lives with his friends Cilla the crab and Steve the sea snail in a beautiful tropical reef. The three friends have great fun playing their games and Terry is particularly adept at ‘Hide-a-fish’. But Terry is not happy. The glamorous and colourful tropical fish completely ignore him as well as his friends and Terry wishes he could impress them instead of being so nondescript.

Then he devises a wonderful plan. He collects all kinds of marvellous adornments and his friends help him to stick them on and voila! Terry is transformed into one of the flashy fish he so envies. That all works very well. The tropical fish are in great admiration and Terry is soon so busy swanning (finning?) around with them all that he neglects his friends until Eddie the eel comes cruising by looking for dinner. While all the truly tropical fish swim away Terry is just too slow with all his additional bits and pieces. Thankfully his friends remind him of their games and as soon as Terry ditches his disguise and resumes his place as the expert at ‘Hide-a-fish’ Eddie is thwarted and suddenly the glamour crew realise that even a plain little fish does have some great qualities.

A lovely and fun story about being true to yourself that is very suitable for readers from Prep upwards.

Is it a Mermaid? – Candy Gourlay/Francesca Chessa

isit

Walker Books

ISBN: 9781910959121
Imprint: Otter-Barry Books
Release Date: June 1, 2018
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

Dugongs are a very relevant local topic here as Moreton Bay is an area in which they can be found (I’ve yet to see one but always hope!) and they are also an at risk species in their various habitats. In olden days sailors mistook them for mermaids and one particular dugong has taken this on board.

Benji and Bel are playing by the sea when they spot a dugong and get very excited. The dugong however insists she is a mermaid and demonstrates all her mermaid-ish attributes – tail, flippers, singing, grace and beauty. None of this convinces Benji who rather hurts her feelings by insisting she’s a SEA COW.

But all is forgiven when Benji apologises and the children have wonderful fun playing all day long with their new friend – the mermaid.

Set in the Philippines the book concludes with some relevant information about dugongs and the ways in which young readers can help protect the dugongs’ natural habitats of sea meadows.  Bright illustrations in an almost naïve style help the readers to visualise the waters in which these marvellous animals can be found.

Highly recommended for readers from around Prep upwards and a perfect addition to a unit on endangered animals for younger students.

 

Julian is a Mermaid – Jessica Love

julian

Walker Books

ISBN: 9781406380637
Release Date: June 1, 2018
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

It’s not just dugongs who like to pretend they are mermaids. When Julian goes out with his Nana and sees some women dressed so gorgeously as ‘mermaids’ he is so entranced that he can’t wait to try it out himself. Back at home while Nana has a bath Julian sets about transforming himself using rather a lot of Nana’s household objects such as ferns and curtains. He feels wonderful but is a little worried about his grandmother’s reaction both to using her things and making a little mess but also just to his desire to be like the beautiful woman.

Not to worry as good grandmothers understand such things and not only does Nana approve but validates his dressing up with some beautiful beads and off they go to show off Julian’s transformation.

This a gentle and whimsical story about self-confidence and being true to yourself while also introducing the concept of acceptance of non-binary children.

A very timely addition to any collection with some valuable reflections to be shared with young readers in the early years.

A First Book of the Sea – Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Emily Sutton

firstbookofsea

Walker Books

ISBN: 9781406368956
Imprint: Walker
Release Date: July 1, 2018
Australian RRP: $29.99
New Zealand RRP: $32.99

In a truly lovely collaboration between write and illustrator this anthology celebrates the majesty of the sea in all its aspects. From the creatures that dwell in it to the sailing ships of old readers can spend hours swimming with dolphins or fishing for dinner, investigating the dark depths or reflecting on the impact of pollution of the seas.

Surfing, pearl diving, lighthouses, harbours, journeys, the Beaufort scale, and much, much more wash across the pages amidst striking and beautiful watercolour illustrations.

From the polar seas to the tropics all manner of topics are covered in the poems that are not only lyrical but often informative.

What a beautiful addition to a poetry collection for young readers!

This comes with a high recommendation for young readers of all ages from around four years upwards. Little ones will delight in the words and pictures and older ones will likewise revel in the imagery created.