Oceans of Love

PreS-Gr 2--Ideal for a read-aloud, this story's clever, gentle rhymes and beautiful oceanic theme will delight caregivers and their children alike. Sea creature mothers care for their offspring in this tender story, centering on how mothers comfort, help, feed, play with, and guide young ones, with specific--albeit imagined-examples of the actions of different underwater species. Filled with creature names and pleasant, descriptive words, Lawler's rhymes roll fluidly off the tongue. At times, the four-line rhyming stanzas are split between pages in a way that makes for a slightly uneven break in readability that may confuse new readers. Balanced compositions, filtered light, and full background and foreground elements create an immersive experience in an underwater world teeming with life. A seamless combination of hand-painted and digital techniques make for eye-catching collages in crisp textures and vibrant colors. VERDICT Recommended as a well-crafted, visually engaging bedtime read-aloud.--Rachel Mulligan, Westampton, NJ

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