Author: Giles Andreae
Illustrator: David Wojtowycz
Publisher: Orchard, A$14.99
Format: Board book
ISBN: 9781408308455
For ages: 2-5 years
Type: Picture Book
About: It is entirely possible I love this book even more than my children. Except that I read it to them at least twice a day, so it is a close run thing.
This book teaches children and adults alike about marine life ranging from starfish through to whales. Andreae uses rhyme throughout to engage his little reader and Wojtowycz uses an absolute riot of colour and shading to delight the eye.
The personification of the various fish such as the angelfish being vain and the jellyfish enjoying jiggling, helps to stimulate children’s imaginations and broaden their understanding of the way the world beneath the water might exist.
A visit to the local aquarium becomes almost compulsory after reading this book and will often be a great occasion, because children have some familiarity with the marine life they have been introduced to in this book.
Its also a wonderful way to introduce some simple craftwork and drawing. This book is a great 'jumping off' source for drawing fish, making starfish and learning facts and figures about the creatures in the ocean.
The simple verses make for easy reading the rhyme and repetition almost ensures that small children will be able to be participatory readers rather than passive ones after a few read throughs.
A 'must-read'.
- this review by Sarah Pietrzak
Author website
Illustrator website
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