Nature Unfolds the Oceans

Children's Literature

Exciting images capture the very essence of ocean life in this beautifully illustrated book. The contents consist of two main sections: the broad ocean and the deep ocean. Within each section is a vibrant four-page foldout that shows the natural beauty and mystique found in the ocean. There is a two-page key at the end of each section that identifies all of the creatures featured in the foldout. There is an additional eight pages within each section with sub-topics such as tropical coasts and deep ocean floors. This book is not in a standard format. It consists mainly of a small picture of a fish, bird, or plant, with a three to four sentence description of that item. Terms such as echolocation, continental slope, and vent communities are used. There is a glossary at the end of the book but word pronunciations are not given. Young readers will certainly be drawn to the numerous and colorful illustrations as well as the minimal text. Given the difficult explanations, however, the age group for whom this book is intended is unclear. 2002, Crabtree Publishing,
— Denise Daley