Books by Theme
See the Sea!
Explore the ocean ecosystem, the many qualities of water, and the fantastic variety of sea creatures (both real and imaginary) through the pages of the picture books described here.
A Place for Fish
Full-color illustrations and clear language present a range of fish in different ecosystems in and near the U.S., as well as the impact of people's activities on the fish. Endpapers include maps where the fish you’ve met in the book can be found.
Along a Long Road
A bicyclist rides begins his outing near the sea and rides through cities, towns, and the country with the water always in view. Restrained but effective language complements the highly stylized illustrations in limited colors accentuated by the glossy yellow road the bicyclist rides on.
At the Beach
Cut-outs on sturdy pages present a range of objects seen at the beach. Made for the youngest child to recognize, each clearly presented object — ranging from pail and shovel to sun and starfish — is punctuated with glittery paper for a particularly sunny appearance.
Beach Babies
Full color photographs capture beautiful babies at the beach engaged in warm, sunny, beach activities. The limited, lighthearted text serves as captions for each picture.
Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat
When his parents trade Jonathan's much-loved teddy bear for a toaster, he sets out on a Big Blue Boat to find Frederick the bear. Jonathan is joined by animals he befriends along the way and finally a little girl who holds a bear instead of a toaster. The imaginative, child-like, and handsomely illustrated tale comes full circle in a most satisfying way.
Monster Hunt: Exploring Mysterious Creatures
Author/illustrator and self-taught naturalist Jim Arnosky introduces mysteries that surround unknown animals: "cryptozoology." Dramatic illustrations combine with an informative, engaging text to present a range of land and water creatures, starting with ocean giants, sharks, and squids.
Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish
Richly colored, highly textured illustrations and evocative language follow an ochre sea star (aka starfish) as she lives and hunts for food in the Pacific Ocean. The sea star's daily routine both informs and inspires. The book also includes references to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Sunny Bunnies
The rabbit family's activity-filled day at the beach begins with packing the car and ends with the young bunnies holding on to the fun with a nighttime game of "Go Fish" while their parents sleep. Readers will recognize the goings-on in the gentle illustrations and rhyming text.
Tia Isa Wants a Car
The narrator and her aunt work to save money to buy a shiny green car to take them to the sea. Though it takes time, Tia Isa and her niece reach their goal and buy the car that brings them to the beach. Cheerful illustrations and an upbeat narration with a sprinkling of Spanish words create recognizable characters in a realistic setting.
Wow! Ocean!
Izzy and her sister were mountain girls, so one summer the family decided to go see something new — the ocean. The girls are wowed by the sea, the beach, and its treasures — both real and imaginary — as they explore above and beneath the water. Readers will revisit highly detailed, labeled illustration including the well-placed, well devised fold-outs.
Proceeds from the sale of books purchased at Bookshop.org and Amazon.com help support the Reading Rockets project. Thank you!
New and Popular
Our Literacy Blogs
