Sharks and Other Sea Creatures

May 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Featuring full-color photos layered atop cheerful design elements, this book alternates between factual spreads and craft projects throughout. Directions are consistently laid out in four steps, each with an accompanying photo. The index permits efficient searching for popular sea favorites, such as the regal blue tang. The title's emphasis on sharks is a bit deceptive, as only one informational feature and one activity focus on those particular animals. The editors successfully and concisely represent four categories of ocean wildlife (mammals, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates) with easy-to-understand definitions and fascinating, little-known facts. The need for adult support is acknowledged on the colophon page, and instructions suggest that adults should help cut things out. Though the shapes are simple enough, preschool children may actually require the most assistance with the drawing aspect, as no stencils or templates are provided. Adults will be pleased that supplies, such as ribbons, cardstock, googly eyes, and paint, are inexpensively procured or perhaps already on hand. Only the "egg carton ocean" necessitates a recyclable item. Four of the five projects require drying time between steps. VERDICT A strong combination of nonfiction information and crafts. Recommended for a lively collaboration between young ocean enthusiasts and educators or parents.-Maria O'Toole, Carroll Manor Elementary School, Adamstown, MD

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2017
Preschool-G Even more fun than reading and learning about sea creatures is making them! An opening underwater spread with brief descriptions reveals that the ocean is home to not just fish but mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. Naturally, an early focus on sharks grabs children's attention, before turning to equally engagingand even more colorfulsea creatures, such as coral fish, parrot fish, starfish, and octopuses. In typical DK fashion, chunks of simple text, fact bubbles, and attractive, high-quality photos combine to impart information about ocean animals' physical characteristics, diet, survival adaptations, and other special features. To extend learning through creativity, the book also offers several related crafts that allow children to make their own shark, puffer fish, ocean scene, and other ocean-inspired artwork. Each very easy-to-make craft includes a materials list of household and accessible objects, both step-by-step written and visual directions, and a sample finished product. Whether used for beginning nonfiction reading, craft ideas, or both, this book is a good addition to STEM collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)