National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean

by Catherine D. Hughes

Overview

National Geographic Kids First Big Book of the Ocean is an adorable animal reference that includes the sea's high-interest animals, such as dolphins, sharks, sea otters, and penguins, and introduces kids to some of its lesser-known creatures. More than 100 charming animal photos illustrate the profiles, with facts about the creatures' sizes, diets, homes, and more. This book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and any other time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426313684
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/08/2013
Series:	National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books Series
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	17,730
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	NC740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

CATHERINE HUGHES is the author of several books in the National Geographic Kids First Big Book series. Ms. Hughes is also the science editor for National Geographic Kids and National Geographic Little Kids magazines and has a degree in early childhood development.

Editorial Reviews

Studies show that kids today know more about video games than they do about wildlife. Fortunately, that lack of interest about other living things can be remedied quickly with even casual immersions in National Geographic Kids First Big Book series book. This fully illustrated new release introduces girls and boys to the wonders of underwater life. Dolphins, penguins, sharks, and other perennial favorites are all here; but National Geographic Kids First Big Book of the Ocean doesn't neglect more seldom-seen sea creatures either. Editor's recommendation.

09/23/2013
This addition to the First Big series, which introduces wild animals and scientific concepts, focuses on ocean habitats. Large type, crisp photographs of animals in action, informative sidebars and bursts, and interactive prompts all help young readers easily follow along. Each of the four chapters is devoted to one of the world’s oceans; a half dozen to a dozen animals are spotlighted within each chapter, including Pacific orcas and the giant oceanic manta ray of the Indian Ocean, among many others. Throughout, the straightforward text underscores the idea of the ocean’s diversity: “There are about 5,000 species of sponges. They come in many shapes, colors, and sizes.” With subjects ranging from perennial favorites like dolphins to critical links along the ocean food chain such as Antarctic krill, Hughes delivers a solid resource to add to a child’s learning library. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

12/01/2013
PreS-Gr 3—This introduction to representative marine species is arranged by the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic Oceans. A fact box for each animal briefly describes its home, size, and food; the sounds it makes; and how many babies it has each year. The vocabulary contains different reading levels, ranging from "phytoplankton," "zooplankton," and "crustaceans" to "pod," "kelp," and "prey." The animals' sizes are never expressed numerically, but only as interesting comparisons, such as "long as a man's foot" (coral) or "about as long as a Chihuahua, a little dog" (Atlantic puffin). Close-up, full-color photographs illustrate each species, and childlike curvy arrows point out important features—a fin (of a great white shark), baby beluga in the Arctic Ocean, and "cleaner station" for manta rays in the Indian Ocean. The narrative includes a summary of "10 Cool Things To Remember About The Ocean!" (#5 "Everything that lives on Earth including you, depends on THE OCEAN"); two pages of parent tips (crafts and activities to reinforce the leaning process); and a map that lists the animals described in each region. This colorful text will be fun and interesting for browsers and casual learners alike.—Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

School Library Journal

★ 2013-09-15
Equally suitable for quick dips or lengthy dives, this gallery of ocean dwellers will attract schools of newly fledged readers. Grouping her profiles by ocean (but noting wider distribution where appropriate), Hughes introduces 33 creatures or types of creature. These range from krill to blue whale, stony coral to Atlantic puffin and "deepsea anglerfish." Coupled to big, bright nature photos, the captions, fact boxes and short passages of narrative present accurate, basic information about size, range, diet, common habitat, physical characteristics and even sounds in simply phrased, easily digestible morsels printed in several sizes and weights of type. The author uses several reinforcement techniques to help readers retain what they've learned. She repeats terms like "sessile" and "phytoplankton" that were defined in context earlier and asks questions that draw connections or spark reflection: "What is the tiniest kind of food that you eat?" Moreover, she closes with a spread of enrichment activities, a couple of websites for further information and an easy review quiz. Substantial but never heavy, this is likely to float to the top of any young naturalist's reading list. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews

Equally suitable for quick dips or lengthy dives, this gallery of ocean dwellers will attract schools of newly fledged readers.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A delightful, age-appropriate introduction to ocean creatures big and small.” –Children’s Book Council

“What a fun book this is for young readers…Some of the animals will be quite familiar, others less so, but all of them will be popular reads.” –Booklist

From the Publisher

So you want to introduce your very young reader to some of the creatures that live in the world's oceans. Where do you start? This book, part of National Geographic Kids' "First Big Books!" series, is a perfect jumping off point. This engaging, colorful book includes a remarkable range of marine mammals, fish, birds, and invertebrates, all featured in dramatic color photograph illustrations. Each critter has its own two-or four-page spread. The book with its lively format, is divided into four chapters: Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. In each, the young reader will learn about a few of the animals that live there. The Pacific Ocean chapter includes a look at a colorful coral reef with equally colorful fish, mammals such as sea lions, whales and sea otters, albatross, yellow-bellied sea snake, stony coral and anemonies, just to name a few. Especially well done is the mixture of commonly-known creatures, such as the clown fish (thanks a bunch, Disney.) and orcas, to lesser-known ocean dwellers such as the sea snake, leafy sea dragon, and deepwater anglerfish. The Atlantic includes a collection ranging from the Atlantic spotted dolphin and great white shark to the Atlantic Puffin, chinstrap penguin, Caribbean reef octopus, yellow tube sponge, even tiny krill. On to the Indian Ocean, where readers might learn about the hawkesbill sea turtle, giant oceanic manta ray or beautiful common lionfish. The Arctic, with its extreme conditions, features amazing narwhals and white beluga whales or a huge lion's mane Jellyfish, and I'm only naming a few from each chapter. Each page spread includes, along with easy-to-understand text, a close-up color photograph, a "Fact Box," listing the kind of animal, home, size, any sounds the animal might make plus babies, a round pop up with added information and a question for the young reader. Questions vary from informational such as, "Have you ever eaten shellfish such as clams, oysters, scallops or crabs?' to more imaginative questions, for example, "Why do you think puffins have the nickname they do?" Really valuable are the extensive information, ideas and notes for parents/teacher/parent tips, online sites, world ocean map, glossary, index and a two-page "10 Cool Things to remember about the Ocean." Wow! This would be an especially welcome book to reinforce a trip to the aquarium or TV nature program. Reviewer: Judy Crowder

Children's Literature - Judy Crowder