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32 pp.
| Dial
| June, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-55459-2$17.99
(4)
K-3
Jellyfish Edgar complains about being constantly misidentified as a fish to some support-group-like starfish, who aren't fish either. Beneath his gripes ("Everyone always says, 'Edgar, you're overthinking things.' / But jellyfish don't even have brains!") is a solid point about how we shouldn't let labels define us. What the loud, cartoonish illustrations lack in decorum they compensate for with humor.
24 pp.
| Child's
| January, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503816930$27.07
(4)
K-3
In the Deep Blue Sea series.
After tips to adult caregivers on encouraging new readers, each choppy easy-reader text provides a basic overview of an ocean invertebrate, describing the creature's physical appearance, diet, life cycle, and threats to survival. Eye-catching underwater photographs elevate the fairly skimpy content; "Did You Know?" sidebars provide additional cursory facts throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these In the Deep Blue Sea titles: Jellyfish, Octopuses, and Sea Stars.
40 pp.
| Little/Tingley
| April, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-316-26278-1$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Naoko Stoop.
A red starfish named Hoshi longs to shine in the sky rather than be stuck in the ocean. While Hoshi is surrounded by unique, colorful, and magnificent creatures in her watery environment, it takes a glowing anglerfish to teach Hoshi that to truly shine requires happiness, which comes from within. Mixed-media illustrations on plywood add depth and luminance to the message-driven story.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jamie Hogan.
A beach walk leads to the discovery of a star on the sand. The starfish needs to be returned to the ocean, but Ana wishes she could go, too. To fulfill her wish, her papa helps Ana "see" with his words. Grainy pastel illustrations with a natural sandy feel accompany this quiet story of nature appreciation. Information on different species (including human Ana) is appended.
(4)
K-3
Bumba Books: I See Ocean Animals series.
Examining one animal per volume, this early science series offers quick-paced, overly broad surveys of two ocean invertebrates. Colorful layouts and close-up photographs enhance simple descriptions of each creature's unusual appearance, behavior, life cycle, and habitat. Critical thinking questions scattered throughout provide the option for a more interactive reading experience. A basic anatomy chart is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bumba Books: I See Ocean Animals titles: Look, a Jellyfish! and Look, a Starfish!
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Ocean Animals series.
These basic introductions to marine invertebrates offer cursory facts about appearance, habitat, food, and life cycle. Simple if choppy texts for emergent readers are adequately reflected in the accompanying photos. The appended "Quick Stats" sections offer oddly conceived size comparisons (e.g., "a starfish is shorter than a basketball"). Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on Ocean Animals titles: Octopuses and Starfish.
(3)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Sea Life series.
Basic facts about sea stars are presented in an easy-to-read, straightforward text. Information covered includes variation in appearance (from five to forty arms), variation in size (from one inch to three feet wide), habitat, diet, and life cycle. The layout is clear and attractive, and the full-page color photos are crisp and eye-catching. Reading list. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Holt/Ottaviano
| May, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9073-4$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Joan Paley.
Simple, elegant text allows readers to follow a female ochre sea star as she comes ashore during high tide, finds and eats mussels, and is herself seized by a gull, escaping with only one ray lost. Accurate information is nicely embedded in the lyrical narration, while rich-hued watercolor collages, appropriate for the evening setting, give both large-scale and close-up views. Reading list. Glos.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59928-813-0$24.21
(3)
K-3
Buddy Books: Underwater World series.
These books present basic information about undersea animals: their anatomies, life cycles, habitats, natural enemies, etc. Vibrant captioned photos enhance the accessible texts. Occasional "Fast Facts" appear on some pages. Libraries needing to enhance their marine life collections would do well to add these titles for young report writers. Glos., ind. Review covers these Buddy Books: Underwater World titles: Octopuses, Sea Sponges, and Starfish.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59716-508-2$21.28
(4)
K-3
No Backbone! The World of Invertebrates series.
This series introduces ocean-dwelling invertebrates. The text is overly simple but generously spaced for beginning readers, offering basic facts about habitats, food, and defense mechanisms. Enhanced color gives the photos an unnatural look, an effect that detracts from the series's nonfiction intent. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these No Backbone! The World of Invertebrates titles: Crawling Crabs, Gooey Jellyfish[cf], Prickly Sea Stars, Slimy Sea Slugs, Squirting Squids, and Squishy Sponges.
56 pp.
| Hyperion
| April, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-7868-1939-1$$12.99
(4)
K-3
In this wordless picture book, a red starfish is tossed ashore by a storm, used as an ornament by a beachcomber, stolen by a gull, placed in the sky, then returned home as a shooting star. The lone human figure depicted is garish, but the spreads featuring textured blues and blacks are dynamic yet simple enough to interpret at a glance. It's best to skip the trite poem about a starfish that precedes the art.
(4)
K-3
Translated by J. Alison James.
Illustrated by
Lieselotte Schwarz.
A small star longs to visit the earth, so the moon turns him into a sea star, and he investigates the ocean and many lands. Years later, he returns to the moon, leaving behind a starfish shell for a young child to find. The warm, luminous illustrations justify the book's large scale, but the lyrical text is self-consciously allegorical to the point of being grating.
32 pp.
| Lerner
| May, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-3765-6$$21.27
|
PaperISBN 0-8225-3770-2$$6.95
(4)
K-3
Pull Ahead Books series.
These brief books introduce some basic characteristics and habits of a particular species. The simple texts, intended for early readers, are informative but sometimes condescending. The stock photographs help elucidate the text, but some do not directly connect with the accompanying line of text. Each book includes a map indicating the animal's geographic range. Glos.
32 pp.
| HarperCollins
| May, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-06-028356-4$$15.95
|
LibraryISBN 0-06-028357-2$$15.89
|
PaperISBN 0-06-445198-4$$4.95 1962, Crowell
(2)
K-3
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series.
Illustrated by
Robin Brickman.
Brickman has done startling new cut-paper collage illustrations for Hurd's beginning-reader book on starfish. Watercolor washes, marbling techniques, and shocking colors portray the starfish in all their chromatic glory, while the simple text points out their intrinsic oddities, such as the fact that they can regrow lost limbs.