Sea Horse

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3These titles use crisp, full-color photographs and simple language to introduce children to ocean creatures. Stefoff takes a conversational tone, occasionally asking questions, as she imparts basic information about the physical characteristics and life cycles of three familiar underwater animals. Attractive photos are clearly captioned and cleanly laid out, and depict a great variety of octopuses, sea horses, starfish, and their respective relatives; half a dozen drawings offering identifying features are appended. A brief ecological message placed after these facts appears to be an afterthought. Each book has a minimal index and a short, dated list for further reading. Jenny Markert's Octopuses (Child's World, 1992) has more impressive photography and a meatier text; Patricia Lauber's An Octopus Is Amazing (Crowell, 1990) is superior introductory nonfiction, but it does not include photographs. Acceptable additions where easy-reading nonfiction is needed.Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL