Book Review: Otis and Will

OTIS AND WILL DISCOVER THE DEEP by Barb Rosenstock is a picture book exploring the record-setting dive of the bathysphere in 1930.

During his childhood, Otis Barton tried to invent a way to breath underwater. After becoming an engineer, he connected with an explorer named Will Beebe. Together they created a Bathysphere that could be used to explore the deep ocean. The picture book concludes with notes that provide additional text and photographs about this true story.

Librarians will find that the easy-to-read text and full page illustrations attract young readers to this fascinating story. Suggest this book to children who enjoy history and science. Work with teachers to integrate this fascinating story into science history. Feature this picture book with other recent publications in a display exploring underwater adventures.

Published on June 5, 2018 by LBYR, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: The Colossal Squid

THE COLOSSAL SQUID is an educational exhibition from the Museum of New Zealand.

This online project is divided into sections including anatomy, the deep, the squid files, build a squid, exhibition, and resources. The anatomy section contains an interactive lesson and short articles, images, and videos. The deep area explores the ocean in Antarctica including an interactive, articles, images, and videos. The squid files provides materials associated with a scientific expedition. The build-a-squid interactive is a fun way to review. The exhibition and resources section provides access to a virtual tour and lots of learning activities.

Librarians will find this website has a variety of fascinating activities to engage young scientists. Associate the website with the water and life science curriculum. Or, use it in a program featuring sea creatures.

To visit the website, go to http://squid.tepapa.govt.nz/.

Website Review: The Life of the Blue Whale

THE LIFE OF THE BLUE WHALE is an interactive museum experience featuring the skeleton of a huge whale.

Produced by the Natural History Museum in London, the website explores the history of whales, whaling, and the museum’s exhibits. The website is divided into three sections. The Ocean examines the era of whaling and the science of whales. The Hintze Hall section explores the huge whale skeleton on exhibit at the museum. Finally, the Collection area examines the history of the museum and the whale skeleton.

Librarians will find this interactive website to be an interesting way to explore whales, whaling, and history through the lens of a museum setting.

To visit the website, go to http://www.nhm.ac.uk/bluewhale/.

Book Review: Octopus Escapes Again!

OCTOPUS ESCAPES AGAIN! by Laurie Ellen Angus is an informational adventure following an octopus seeking dinner.

This fascinating story features an octopus on a quest for food. Along the way, readers learn about the habitat and behaviors of this amazing sea creature including how it uses clouds of ink, jet propulsion, and camouflage as defense. Woven into the narrative are interesting facts about the octopus. The book concludes with additional information and learning activities.

The author/illustrator’s use of large, easy-to-read text along with colorful, collage techniques will be appealing for many young readers.

Librarians will find this nonfiction narrative to be popular with students and teachers seeking high-quality information along with an engaging story. With both alliteration and repetition, the author’s lyrical approach makes this a good read-aloud choice.

Published by Dawn Publications on September 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: MarcoPolo Ocean

MARCOPOLO OCEAN is an engaging learning app for budding young scientists.

Designed for preschool and early primary grades, the app provides an immersive environment for young children to explore ocean habitats and creatures.

Choosing an item from the Puzzle icon menu introduces a learning activity such as building a boat or creating an underwater habitat for octopi. Oral directions are provided along with visual assistance for young users. Each of the six activities reinforces vocabulary and ocean concepts.

Choosing an item from the Fish icon menu allows uses to add elements such as divers and sea creatures to the ocean and explore life under the sea.

Librarians will find this app to be a highly visual way to introduce the ocean to young learners. Create a display that includes books about ocean creatures found in the app. The app would be particularly useful for children with special needs.

Part of the Discovery Series, related apps include Arctic and Weather.

To learn more about MarcoPolo, go to http://gomarcopolo.com/

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marcopolo-ocean/id797157312

Technology Review: Global Shark Tracker

GLOBAL SHARK TRACKER by Ocearch is a science app and website that allows users to track the movement patterns of sharks using a satellite tracking system.

Both the app and website contain the same features.

In the Shark Tracker section, users can track sharks by recent activity, gender, stage of life, or location tags. Shark locations can be explored on a world map. Clicking a shark presents a photo, date, gender, tag date, and location. Clicking the “view more” option provides additional information including the shark’s name, species, stage in life, physical characteristics, and miles traveled. A description provides details such as the shark’s life experiences. It’s also possible to see the path where the shark has traveled.

The Science section provides detailed information about the science behind the project including the approach, methodology, research projects, expeditions, scientists involved, and papers published.

The Education area provides STEM lessons for Grades 3-5 and 6-8.

Users can also use the website and app to connect with the Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Blogger social media resources.

Librarians will find this science app to be an engaging way to learn about the navigation patterns of sharks. Pair the app with nonfiction books about sharks and shark conservation.

To visit the website, go to http://www.ocearch.org/.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/global-shark-tracker/id570772231….

Book Review: The Octopus Scientists: Exploring the Mind of a Mollusk

THE OCTOPUS SCIENTISTS: EXPLORING THE MIND OF A MOLLUSK by Sy Montgomery provides a fascinating look at the world of scientists studying octopus.

Part of the Scientists in the Field collection, the author provides stunning photographs to go with the interesting and informative scientific narrative. The story follows a group of scientists at the CRIBE’S field station as they collect information about the elusive octopus.

In addition to the engaging story of scientific investigation, the book also includes pages focusing on the scientists and fact sheets providing in-depth information on topics such as creature camouflage.

Feature this book in a library display focusing on creatures of the coral reef. Be sure teachers are aware of this growing collection of high-quality science books. The entire Scientists in the Field collection is a great way to address STEM standards and encourage careers in the sciences.

To learn more about the Scientists in the Field books, go to http://www.sciencemeetsadventure.com.

To learn more about the author, go to http://symontgomery.com.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on May 26, 2015.

Tech Review: Over in the Ocean in a Coral Reef

OVER IN THE OCEAN IN A CORAL REEF by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jeanette Canyon is a beautiful sing-along e-book, interactive app.

Based on the 2004 book by the same name, this interactive book encourages children to click and jiggle their mobile device to explore ocean animals. Designed for young children, this informational app focuses on both math and science topics.

The “Sing to Me” option sings the story aloud as readers follow along with the highlighted text. Readers can interact with the screen by clicking or shaking their device. Youth can move forward or backward through the story. The music on each page can also be repeated.

The “Read to Me” option provides the same format as the sing-to-me section, but the words are read aloud with music in the background.

The “Read to Myself” option encourages children to read the story without the music or audio narration.

In addition to the book, users can also explore activities and informational readings experiences. The “Find the Babies” activity asks children to find particular ocean creatures on the screen. The “Fishy Facts & Photos” section provides a series of pages focusing on ocean and sea creature information. Information is also included about the author, illustrator, developer, and publisher.

A menu option is always available providing easy access to narration.

This book would be a great addition to a library display focusing on ocean creatures. Include this book on an iPad, along with paper books.

Create a display of Marianne Berkes’ other books exploring the world including her latest book Over On a Mountain: Somewhere in the World. Also include Over in a River, Over in the Forest, Over in the Jungle, and Over in Australia.

Download free activities to go with these books from the publisher website at http://www.dawnpub.com/.

Published by Dawn Publications.

App Review: Amazing World Ocean

AMAZING WORLD OCEAN is an extraordinary 3D science encyclopedia app.

This impressive experience begins with users scrolling down deep into the ocean to discover its inhabitants.

Divided into six layers including schools, coral reef, dolphins, whales, sharks, and the deep ocean, the app features information about over 50 ocean species.

Users click on the species of interest and scroll through informational pages displayed as long, multi-screen infographics. Each entry begins with an image and visual scale reference. Next, a couple paragraphs of background information is presented. While the text size is small and can’t be enlarged, high-quality, optional audio narration is provided to support reading. In some cases, creature sounds are also available.

A figure containing the length, weight, and depth of the creature is shown along with a habitat map. A series of interesting facts provide depth to the content of the page. Again, the text size is small and it’s all uppercase, but readable. Amazing 3D views make users feel like they’re swimming with the sea creatures. Finally, a gallery of photos bring the creature to life.

The outstanding illustrations and rich background music throughout add to the appeal. The setting options provides the choice to turn off the music.

With no in-app purchases or advertisements, this app would be an excellent addition to a school library collection. This reference app would appeal to all grades.

Look for AMAZING WORLD OCEAN on the “best of 2015” app lists.

Watch the amazing making of matte paint for the iPad app. Go to https://youtu.be/fTLzK3mvUVo.

Learn more at http://amazingworldapps.com/.

Developed by FourPlus Studio and distributed by Dimitar Itskov February 19, 2015.