Book Bundles: Under the Sea

(3) K-3 From the seashore to the depths of the midnight zone and everything in between, ten sections focus on particular habitats ("On the Beach"; "Reef Life"; "Deep Down"); a final chapter dives into "People and Oceans." The well-designed pages invite browsing with striking captioned photos, colorful text bubbles, and the occasional poem. Drimmer's buoyant text takes a closer look at some representative animals, vegetation, and features within each zone. The volume includes an interview with a marine conservationist (and a plea to protect sea life), a foreword by a marine photojournalist, and an afterword by marine biologist Sylvia Earle. "Scientific Names of Ocean Life" and an index are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joanie Stone. Power (1794-1871) was a self-taught naturalist who had to fight to be recognized for her discoveries about sea life. The Parisian dressmaker moved to Sicily after her 1818 marriage; inspired by the island's natural beauty, Power was drawn to study marine creatures. Designing "one of the world's first aquariums built for scientific study," she was able to observe living animals; her study of the paper nautilus resolved an age-old scientific mystery about its shell. This compelling picture-book biography of a trailblazing woman scientist is enhanced by period-setting illustrations featuring blues, greens, and beachy browns. Griffith concludes with more about "Jeanne's Life and Legacy," the paper nautilus, "Marine Biology and Conservation," a note about historical research, and a bibliography.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Annie Crawley. Newman's persuasive text guides readers along on three dives with "underwater explorer," scuba instructor, and photographer/filmmaker Crawley. Examining environmental challenges faced in three regions--Indonesia's Coral Triangle, the Pacific Northwest's Salish Sea, and coastal Alaska in the Arctic Circle--this book makes clear the magnitude of the crisis facing marine habitats and, by extension, life on the planet. The discussion includes profiles of scientists, volunteers, and young eco-activists working to study existing damage and to educate people about why we need to care. An online feature connects readers to videos from Crawley's dives; tips on "visual storytelling" and "things you can do to make a difference" are appended. Includes source notes, a glossary, selected bibliography, lists of books and websites, and an index.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn