The Sea Knows

by Alice B McGinty (Author) Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
Dive in and explore the wonders of the ocean and its inhabitants in this lyrical, fact-filled ode to the sea! This beautifully illustrated picture book features extensive nonfiction backmatter for further exploration. We are young. The sea is old. The sea has secrets to unfold. The sea knows. In this playful, rhyming celebration of the marine world, readers can explore all of the wondrous things the sea knows. It knows huge whales and small krill; it knows short crabs and tall giant kelp; it knows brightly colored starfish in shallow pools; and in the inky depths it knows the alluring jewel of an anglerfish's glowing lure. Discover all of the strange and magnificent underwater creatures in this accessible tribute to the power and mystery of the ocean.
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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Take a tour of the underwater world in this visual introduction to the sea. Readers will be swept away by a colorful school of fish and will have a front-row seat as a blue whale scoops up a mouthful of krill. McGinty introduces a variety of ecosystems and plant life, as well as many fascinating creatures. The most effective feature of this book is the digital illustrations that showcase the variety and complexity of ocean life. Through careful use of color, the author and illustrator spotlight a world that sometimes appears peaceful and small, and at other times seems volatile and untamed. The pages will be turned with ease, following the rhythm of tightly crafted couplets. However, this text is not overly informative. Although back matter provides basic information, most young readers will struggle to make the connection between the illustrations and information. VERDICT A solid selection for nature/science-themed storytime or as a springboard for future investigation.--Louie Lauer, Jefferson Elementary School, Fargo, ND

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

What does the sea know? Quite a bit, according to this well-crafted picture book. The rhythmic verse text begins with a series of opposites....The text gradually moves away from contrasts and toward concepts with shared properties. Finally, a sequence of dynamic events builds up to a dramatic storm before resolving....Full of movement, grace, and intriguing details, the digital artwork illustrates the text beautifully. An informative appended section elaborates on sea creatures and phenomena mentioned in the verse. The writing flows well, making this picture book a pleasure to read aloud and a natural for classroom units on the sea.—Booklist "3/18/20"
Alice B McGinty
ALICE McGINTY is the award-winning author of over forty books for children, including Darwin, an Orbis Pictus Honor Book and one of Booklist's Top 10 Biographies for Youth. It received three starred reviews and was called "exquisite and enlightening" by Kirkus Reviews. Her most recent picture book, Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons, was named a Sydney Taylor Notable Book. She also runs a writing camp for kids, Words on Fire. Visit her on the web at alicebmcginty.com or follow her on Twitter @AliceBMcGinty.

ELIZABETH HAIDLE is the creative director of and a regular contributor to Illustoria magazine, as well as a collaborator at Mascot Press, an independent comics press. She has illustrated a graphic novel, I, Parrot, written by Deb Olin Unferth, she has several nonfiction comics series in the works. Ms. Haidle received her MA in illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design. You can follow her on Instagram at @ehaidle.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534438224
Lexile Measure
210
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date
May 05, 2020
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV029000 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | General
JUV002170 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Marine Life
JUV009040 - Juvenile Fiction | Concepts | Opposites
Library of Congress categories
Ocean
Deep-sea animals
Natural disasters
Deep-sea ecology
Oceanography
Hydrology

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