A Journey Under the Sea

by Craig Foster (Author)

A Journey Under the Sea
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

From the creator of the Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher and his diving partner comes a best-in-class photographic picture book about the wonders of the sea.

Here's an ode to the mysteries of the ocean, the animals who share our planet, and the healing power of nature from the Oscar-winning creator of the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher and his diving partner.

This meditation on the treasures to be found in the Great African Sea Forest introduces the many wonders of an environment that always surprises--from the tiniest sea snails to the shapeshifting octopus to the gently singing whales.

Illustrated with gorgeous underwater photography of the fascinating creatures and places most of us will never witness firsthand, this picture book is a window into another world and all it has to share with us.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

Dive in! 

Publishers Weekly

"Dive into the clear, cold water and you will find yourself in a forest of liquid light. You can relax and explore--the sea holds you safe in a salty embrace." In a photographic picture book, Foster and Frylinck, cofounders of the Sea Change Project and creators of the documentary My Octopus Teacher, invite readers on a mesmerizing guided tour of the Great African Sea Forest--a kelp forest at the tip of South Africa. While inviting language makes the read feel interactive, light-infused, full-bleed photographic close-ups introduce creatures found within the ecosystem: a wide-eyed seal pup ("Come on, the pup seems to say, swim deeper"), a small rockfish ("you can play a game of hide-and-seek"), and camouflaged octopuses, among others. A visual gem, this underwater jaunt concludes with a dreamlike wish: "Remember the wild, hold it safe in your heart." Captioned thumbnails of each spread offer facts about the featured fauna and their home. An author's note concludes. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

K-Gr 3--From Foster, creator of the award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher, and Frylinck, his dive partner, this is a beautiful close-up look at the world beneath the sea. Stunning underwater photographs allow readers to experience the wonder of sea creatures that few will see firsthand. The work reveals hidden treasures such as a view of a pyjama shark's eye that looks like "an alien galaxy blazing in the deepest reaches of space." The narrative is designed as a personal journey into the sea with poetic descriptions ("you will find yourself in a forest of liquid light" and an octopus "waves her arms and shimmers and twinkles her skin"). Back matter describes the environment and creatures from each page and reveal fascinating facts. VERDICT Far more than an informational nature book, this is a powerful expression of love and respect for the ocean and the magnificent creatures that live in its waters. Highly recommended.--Heidi Dechief

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"What a magnificent book—a perfect gift for anyone who loves nature." — Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

"In a gentle, leisurely tone, [Foster and Frylinck] invite readers to 'dive into the clear, cold water . . . relax and explore.' The photographs are colorful and unusual. This is a delight. Dive in!" — Kirkus Reviews

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780358677864
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
October 11, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003150 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Marine Life
JNF016000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Curiosities & Wonders
JNF038010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Africa
JNF041000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Photography
JNF037070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Earth Sciences - Water (Oceans, Lakes, Etc.)
Library of Congress categories
South Africa
Marine animals
Kelp bed ecology
Cape Town

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