Looking Closely Along the Shore

Look closely. Look very closely. Is it—a string of beads? Stars in the sky? Give up? Just turn the page and, lo and behold, it's an ochre sea star! See what looks like a bird's beak revealed as a gooseneck barnacle, blades of grass as a blue mussel, and many more surprises when you look closely along the shore. The Looking Closely series takes children on a journey of discovery through four environments — the forest, the shore, the desert and the garden. Frank Serafini's camera lens enlarges each world through the magic of close-up photography. Young eyes will rediscover our planet as a place of beauty, mystery and delight. Readers are first challenged to guess the identity of each close-up photograph. The next page reveals the entire photograph of the plant, animal or natural object accompanied by a simple but detailed description of the habitat. By inspiring children to ask questions and use their imaginations, these books help build problem-solving skills. They also encourage curiosity about environments that, examined this closely, are full of unexpected wonders.

This book in the Looking Closely series will take children on a journey of discovery along the shore while inspiring them to ask questions and use their imaginations.

Children's Literature

Look Closer—what a wonderful invitation to a naturally curious young child! In this book, part of the "Looking Closely" series, non- or very young readers are invited for an up-close exploration of common items seen near or in the wet sand of the sea shore. Serafini's well-written text is an invitation: "Look very closely. What do you see? A flower? A fossil? What could it be?" When the reader turns the page, he/she finds the answer—in this case, a common sand dollar, beautifully photographed and accompanied with just enough information for any young, budding marine scientist. The photography is breathtaking, from close ups of the scarlet, scaly leg of a shore crab, to an orange starfish, gooseneck barnacle, cocoanut palm tree frond, sea anemone, conch shell, and so on, even the beauty of a round, smooth, coastal rock. In his introduction, the author paraphrases photographer Ansel Adams: you could discover a whole life's worth of images in a six-square-foot patch of earth. Splendid! If you are a parent, teacher, grandparent of a young child who likes looking and guessing, as well an adult who loves to hear those guesses, this book is for you. Reviewer: Judy Crowder

Frank Serafini is an educator and avid nature photographer whose work has taken him from Fiji to Mexico, from Canada to Australia. Previously a primary schoolteacher, Frank is now Associate Professor of Children's Literature and Literacy Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Frank Serafini is an educator and avid nature photographer whose work has taken him from Fiji to Mexico, from Canada to Australia. Previously a primary schoolteacher, Frank is now Associate Professor of Children's Literature and Literacy Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.