Marine Biology

Barnes, Julia. 101 facts about oceans / Julia Barnes. Milwaukee : Gareth Stevens Pub., 2004. ISBN: 0836837096 (Ages 4-8). Grade: A

Starts out with a great map of the Oceans of the World that shows locations of gulfs, bays, seas, and trenches. Here is an example of an interesting fact presented.  "Did you know that the water in the Persian Gulf could reach 97 degrees Fahrenheit?"  There is a lot of information packed into this book's 32 colorful pages.  Some of the 101 facts like the previous example are significant standing alone.  However, many facts are one idea strung together over a number of facts making the division into 101 facts mentioned in the title rather arbitrary.  Karen Woodworth-Roman, UIUC MLIS. (01-04)

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Beachcomber's Companion Cards. ©2005 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 1880224089. Ages 6+. Grade: A+

Excellent resource to take to the beach. Laminated cards have an illustration and the common and scientific name (e.g. Soft-Shelled Clam Mya arenaria) on one side. The back gives tips for identification and locating and size. There are also interesting facts and it tells if the species is native. Produced by the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, these cards contain accurate, intelligent (not dumb-downed) information. The cards are held together by a cool metal lock and come with a red china pen to write on the cards and a mesh bag for collecting shells, etc. KWR 02-05.

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Cerullo, Mary M. Sea turtles : ocean nomads / by Mary M. Cerullo ; photographs by Jeffrey L. Rotman. New York : Dutton's Children's Books, c2003. 0525466495 (Grades 4-7) Grade A-

Informative introduction to various species of sea turtles. Describes differences between pond turtles and sea turtles. Did you know that a sea turtles cannot pull its head inside its shell. Discusses the sea turtle's life cycle and dangers that it faces on land and sea. Shows scientists studying and helping turtles. Contains many underwater photographs, a glossary, bibliography, and index. KWR (05-04)

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Cole, Henry. On the way to the beach / by Henry Cole. [New York] : Greenwillow Books, 2003. 0688175155. Grade: A

Learning resource for the home library of nature lovers. This is a simple story of a short trip through the woods, to the salt marsh, to the dunes, and finally to the beach. Along the way readers are given a scavenger hunt like list of animals, plants, and natural objects to find in each fold-out, three-page spread. The artwork is detailed like that of a guide book, but also set within context. The last page has the answers with all the species identified. Karen Woodworth-Roman (06-04)

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Dolphins. Milwaukee, Wis. : Gareth Stevens Pub., 2004. 0836841158 (lib. bdg.) [All about wild animals series] North American ed. Ages 4-8 Grade: A

Informative look at Dolphins and other sea creatures. I especially liked the "A Dolphin's Day" section of the book. I wasn't thrilled that it was in the first person, but it was very interesting to know what a typical dolphin might be doing in a 24 hour period. Bright book design makes use of many small boxes to break up the information into bite size pieces. Contains a glossary and index. KWR, 07-04

Previously published as All about dolphins. London : DeAgostini UK Ltd., 2001.

Contents: A closer look -- Home, sweet home -- Neighbors -- The family -- Life at sea -- Favorite foods -- Danger! -- A dolphin's day -- Relatives -- Humans and dolphins.

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Galko, Francine. Coral reef animals / Francine Galko. Chicago, Ill. : Heinemann Library, c2003. 1403401772. [Series: Animals in their habitats, Heinemann First Library] Ages 4-8. Grade: A

Starts with an explanation of the formation and composition of coral reefs. Covers a variety of animals that live on and around coral reefs. Includes about two dozen species, such as: squids, spotted scorpion fish, queen conchs, donkey dung sea cucumber, and elkhorn coral sea polyps. Contains information about habitat and how the animals have learned to survive. A nice feature is small insets on many pages that show the animal's size compared to everyday items such as a soccer ball and a paper clip. The photos are good and the book design is clean. Words in the glossary are in bold font. There is also an index and a three item bibliography. Karen Woodworth-Roman, MS (06-04)

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Guiberson, Brenda Z. Sharks. New York : Scholastic Reference, 2003. [Scholastic Science Readers] 0439425034. Grade: A-

This is a fun and interesting read about Sharks. The illustrations are good and labeled so this book is part guidebook. Sharks is information packed. For example, "All sharks are fish. But they do not have bones. Their skeleton and jaw are made of cartilage....Your nose and ears are made of cartilage." (24) KWR, MS (06-04)

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Haydorn, Julie. Marine biologists / Julie Haydon. North Mankato, Minn. : Smart Apple Media, 2005. [Scientists at work] 1583405402. Ages 9-14. 02-05. Grade: A+

Books like this should really help children get interested in scientific occupations. Explains what marine biologists do and the education required. Gives a brief history, lists important discoveries, shows the technology and tools of marine biology. There is an interview with a PhD student named Marah Newman. The book design is colorful, interesting, and varied. The photographs and illustrations are excellent. There are several suggested activities. There is a list of web sites, glossary, and index for further research.

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Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer discovered the fish long believed extinct on December 22, 1938. Walker provides the perfect amount of detail to make for a lively description of the research and discoveries that scientists have made until the present. Photographs and illustrations are excellent. Includes maps, timeline, source notes, selected bibliography, glossary, and index. KWR, UIUC MLIS (01-04)

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Walker, Sally M. Life in an estuary / by Sally M. Walker. Minneapolis : Lerner Publications Co., 2003. ISBN: 0822521377 Ages 8+ Grade A

Superbly researched and informative look at estuary biology that focuses on the Chesapeake Bay. Excellent "What you can do" section at the end of the book. Includes extensive list of web sites, bibliography, glossary, and index. KWR, UIUC MLIS (01-04)

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Walker, Sally M. Rays / by Sally M. Walker. Minneapolis, MN : Carolrhoda Books, 2003. ISBN: 1575051729 Ages 8+ Grade: A

Everything a young reader could want to know about rays is packed into this 48 page book. Rays starts with the history and then characteristics of rays. Extensive discussion of physical description and anatomy of rays and their habitat. Also, has a sections on stings and shocks and life cycles. Includes many interesting photographs and wonderfully detailed illustrations. Includes an extensive glossary and index. KWR, UIUC MLIS (01-04)

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Ylvisaker, Anne. The Pacific Ocean / by Anne Ylvisaker ; consultant, Sarah E. Schoedinger. Mankato, Minn. : Bridgestone Books, c2003. [Oceans series] 0736814264 (Ages 4-8) Grade: A

Informative look at the Pacific Ocean. For example, "The Pacific covers 60 million square miles (155 million square kilometers). It is about 15 times larger than the United States." Includes "fun facts" and topics such as location, climate, depth, animals, plants, and keeping the Pacific Ocean healthy. Colorful but well organized, non-overpowering book design. Illustrations are clear and labeled. Some difficult words are defined on the page and more are listed in a glossary. Also includes a hands on experiment explaining typhoons, a short bibliography, webography, and index. KWR (06-04)