THE OCEAN
Explore a Watery World
by Laura Perdew
Illustrated by Micah Rauch
Nomad Press
Middle Grade Nonfiction
128 pages
ages 8 to 12
COMING MAY 15th!!!
A fascinating exploration of the different parts of the ocean and the creatures that live there!
The mighty ocean covers 70 percent of the planet, supports well over 100,000 marine species, regulates climate, feeds billions of people, and plays a key role in the carbon cycle. Yet the ocean is also fragile and needs our help.
In The Ocean: Explore a Watery World with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids, young marine biologists learn the ocean’s history and the key roles it plays on Earth, including its part in the carbon cycle and in regulating weather and climate. Explore the polar oceans, intertidal zones, the shallow ocean, and the open ocean, and discover the incredible biodiversity adapted to living there. Find out how people use and rely on the ocean and how humans are making a giant impact on this massive body of water.
Each chapter examines different aspect of our oceans and our scientific understanding, including past and current ocean conservation efforts around the world. Sidebars about technology, species spotlights, and short biographies about ocean explorers and scientists provide insight into the marine-human relationship, while hands-on activities and critical thinking exercises invite all kinds of learners to gain a deeper understanding of Earth’s oceans. A compelling narrative style, fun facts, glossary words defined on the page, and links to primary source combine to take readers on an investigative journey of the ocean.
Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
MY TIDBITS
A wealth of information surrounding oceans hits with depth and broadness to form a very, well-rounded read.
After a Table of Contents, which highlights the seven chapters and themes these pages touch upon, there's a world map, which shows the basic flow of the oceans. The chapters touch upon topics such as the ocean's origins, currents, climates, ecosystems, and other themes. Each chapter begins with a quick comic strip of a girl sailing with her father, an all-reaching question to be understood during the chapter, and a quick introduction into the main theme. From there, each chapter packs tons of information surrounding the theme...and this coming from various directions in the STEM realm. At the end of each chapter, there's a short list of activities, small experiments and such, and at the end of the book, there's an index, glossary, references for further research and more. It forms a very thorough look at various aspects of the ocean and leaves readers with quite a bit of knowledge in various directions.
This isn't a light read but tries to give readers a good understanding of the many themes explored. For example, the first chapter takes a look at how water relates to the beginning of life and how the formation of the oceans might have taken place. Each chapter packs tons of information...and I do mean a lot. The explanations are delivered in a tone fitting to the audience level and move quickly from one topic to the next. The important terms are placed in a sidebar along the pages to help readers easily find the definitions. Since there are so many topics mentioned, QR codes offer readers the chance to take side-dives into various themes as desired. There are also interesting tidbits put together, which hit everything from interesting facts to important individuals. It's thorough, well-thought out, and kept interesting for the right reader. Others might be overwhelmed with the fast-paced delivery of so much information.
The various activities at the end of the chapter add an especially nice touch and can be done with simple, household items or explored by readers on their own. There are also many photos to help make the information more clear. This book could be used by groups or homeschoolers as the basis for an entire unit surrounding oceans, and they would come out with a broad understanding of much more than basic ocean facts. It's also a lovely read for science fans, who want to learn more about the ocean.
And here she is...
Laura Perdew is an author, writing coach, presenter, and former middle school teacher. She is the author of The Fort (Page Street Kids 2020) and over 50 books for the education market including Biodiversity: Explore the Diversity of Life on Earth (Nomad Press 2019) which is on the Booklist editors’ list of the Top 10 Books on the Environment & Sustainability for Youth 2020. Laura is a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an avid runner and hiker. She lives and plays in Boulder, Colorado.
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