Synergy: Ocean Life

Ocean life includes the plants, animals, and other organisms that live in the salt water of the ocean.

OCEAN EMPORIUM by Susie Brooks explores the many creatures that live in the ocean. Each two-page spread features an overview and several examples of a particular species such as crabs, jellyfish, or sharks. Both the common and scientific names are provided along with a simple, colorful illustration of each creature.

Use the book to brainstorm questions for ocean life inquiries. Then, use the website for photographs and more in-depth information.

OCEAN from the Smithsonian Institution provides hundreds of articles related to ocean topics. The ocean life section of the website will be of particular interest to students conducting inquiries related to marine life. The educators section contains dozens of lesson plans to extend the experience.

Ocean https://ocean.si.edu/

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge.

Book: The Ultimate Book of Sharks

THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF SHARKS by Brian Skerry is filled with fascinating facts about this popular sea creature.

This large format, full-color informational book contains eight chapters exploring anatomy, life cycle, species, fossils, conservation, and common myths. Featuring amazing photographs along with maps, diagrams, and infographics, readers of all ages will enjoy the short blocks of informative text, labeled visuals, and numerous sidebars.

Librarians will find this work of nonfiction popular among shark enthusiasts as well as those who enjoy highly illustrated nonfiction. Because of the large size, it could easily be incorporated into small group activities.

Published by National Geographic Kids in May 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Pristine Seas

PRISTINE SEAS is a National Geographic project focusing on exploring and protecting wild places in the ocean.

This project features the work of scientist Enric Sala who has been exploring the unique ecosystems of the last wild places in the ocean. The goal of the project is to protect 20 places by 2020. Users click on locations around the globe to learn more about past and present expeditions. Readers can also explore the latest field work of scientists.

Librarians will find this website to be an interesting way to study oceans. Ask students to select one of the locations and write about what makes this area of the world unique and worth saving. Or, ask students to learn more about a creature who lives in one of these special locations.

To visit the website, go tohttps://www.nationalgeographic.org/projects/pristine-seas.

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/.

Book Review: A Place to Start a Family

A PLACE TO START A FAMILY by David Harrison is a picture book focusing on animal shelters.

This informational poetry book begins with an introduction to animal shelters. Each two-page spread features a different creature including birds, sea creatures, and land animals. From nests and webs to tunnel systems, mixed media illustrations feature a wide range of animal homes. The book concludes with a review of underground, land, water, and air builders.

Librarians will find this picture book to be a useful addition to the nonfiction collection. The poems are perfect for a read-aloud activity combining science and poetry. Create a display featuring books that feature animal homes and habitats.

Published by Charlesbridge on January 16, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Giant Squid

GIANT SQUID by Candace Fleming dives into the life of this marine animal and its habitat.

Recipient of the 2017 Robert F. Sibert Honor Medal for informational books, this beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of this often overlooked sea creature. Fleming brings this mysterious animal to life through short, descriptive sentences and phrases, while Rohmann’s illustrations remind readers of the immense size of this ocean dweller.

The author masterfully weaves factual information into the compelling story. The picture book concludes with a labelled diagram of a giant squid along with additional background information and resources.

Librarians will find this attractive picture book to be well-received by children who enjoy animals books. Book extensions can be downloaded from the author’s website.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.candacefleming.com.
To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://www.ericrohmann.com/.

Published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan on September 27, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Oceana

The OCEANA website focuses on marine life and conservation.

The Marine Life section contains a database of sea creatures. This Ocean Animal Encyclopedia is filled with fascinating facts and resource organized by types of creatures.

The Publications section includes short and longer scientific reports, brochures, facts sheets, and infographics about the world’s oceans.

The Expeditions area provides an overview of conservation campaigns focusing on unique marine ecosystems around the world.

Librarians will find this website is filled with fascinating information, but readers need to keep in mind that the focus is on conservation. The high-quality infographics would be excellent for students analysis and evaluation. The reports would be useful for informational reading activities.

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

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

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.