Book Review: More Fish Faces: More Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish by Tam Warner Minton

More Fish Faces: More Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish by Tam Warner Minton is the second book in the Ocean Friends series. This volume offers readers more fun faces and more fun facts for fish fans young and old. Colorful photography — including the names of every fish featured — creates a colorful dive log worth experiencing again and again. The photos and fun facts are presented in small and easily digestible bites so your child can enjoy learning in short bursts or longer reads. It is a wonderful book for bedtime. Concepts like recycling, re-purposing, and sustainability are presented with photos and practical examples that are easily understood. 10% of profits will go to the Marine Megafauna Foundation to continue their scientific research to protect our oceans and ocean giants.

More Fish Faces: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish offers readers exactly what the title suggests, a continuation of the colorful photographs and interesting information the All Fish Faces gave readers. Again, I found that the photographs were high quality and worth looking through the book all by themselves. I liked that each picture is also clearly labeled and that the accompanying information boxes were well written and chosen for the audience.  I think animal and ocean loving readers will adore this book and its predecessor. I learned a few things, and really enjoyed the photographs. 

Book Review: All Fish Faces: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish by Tam Warner Minton

 All Fish Faces: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish by Tam Warner Minton is a collection of  tropical reef fish faces. Some fierce, some fun, but all a joy for fish fans young and old. Colorful photography — including names of every fish featured — creates a colorful dive log worth experiencing again and again. Introducing kids and their families to our ocean friends will create a generation of excited, enthusiastic, and caring ocean lovers who care deeply about marine life. Who knows? Maybe it will encourage future scientists and conservationists! It includes ocean and marine life education and tips on how kids, and everyone they know, can help save our ocean friends. 10% of profits will go to the Marine Megafauna Foundation to continue their scientific research to protect our oceans and ocean giants.

All Fish Faces: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish is a visually and informational interesting book for all ages. I found that the photographs were high quality and worth looking through the book all by themselves. I liked that each picture is also clearly labeled and that the accompanying information boxes were well written and chosen for the audience. I learned quite a bit, as I love learning about animals of all kinds, but fish seem to be one of my weak spots. I think the formatting and color choices on each page are attention grabbing and are likely to keep the interest of even the most distracted readers. 

Book Review: Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales by Mark Leiren-Young

Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales by Mark Leiren-Young is a non fiction book for middle grade readers. Orcas are found in every ocean on the planet. But can they survive their relationship with humans? This book looks at how humans around the world (Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike) related to orcas in the past, how we relate to them now, and what we can do to keep cetacean communities alive and thriving. The book deals with science, philosophy, environmentalism and ethics in a kid-friendly and accessible way. Mark Leiren-Young takes readers back to when killer whales were considered monsters and examines how humans went from using orcas for target practice to nearly loving them to death.

Orcas Everywhere is a very informative book, but also rather sad. The way people focus on ourselves and treat other living creatures as a general rule makes me sad. Seeing the history, present, and thoughts on the future of the relationships between people and orca is no different. I did learn a great deal about the orcas and how they have been viewed, treated, and now researched.I had no idea that there were such different whales labeled as 'killer whales', and how different they can be from each other. The different orcas that have been captured and/or researched over the years were sad to read about, because so many stories ended badly, but knowing where we have been helps us to understand where we are, and where we want to go in the future. The legends and stories about personal encounters were interesting to read. The pictures did a good job of showing the beauty of sea life- and some of the effects people have had on them- the small holding tanks and equipment used really brought that message home.  I liked that there was a glossary and selection of further resources. I always find these tools important to encourage interested and engaged readers to explore further. I also like that the suggestions for changes readers can make to help are doable, and that efforts by other young people to help the whales and the environment are highlighted. It is great to see what research and steps adults are making, but knowing kids just like them are stepping up might encourage rea; change and effort from more people. 

Orcas Everywhere is an informative read. Some of the text is heavy and hard to read, because of the subject matter. However, the author does try to keep the tone conversational and accessible to all readers.

Early Book Review: I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki

I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki is a children's non fiction book that is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. This book introduces some of the wackiest creatures under the sea—creatures that look like food. Creatures include the egg yolk jellyfish, the lettuce sea slug, the chocolate chip sea star, and many more.

I See Sea Food is a bright and bold book that taught me some interesting facts about creatures I had not heard of before. The photographs are amazing- they are clear and bright. I think the images alone make this book worth picking up. However, the selection of creatures and information shared about each are wonderful as well. I mean, how often do you discover that living creatures named after food use that appearance for defence, or gain their unique coloring by what type of jellyfish they have been snacking on, or breathe through their butt!. I loved the balance of serious information and the fun and wacky. I also appreciate that there is a glossary, quiz, and suggestions for further reading at the end of the book. I love when further engagement and information seeking is encouraged.

I See Sea Food held my attention and taught me something, and I think it will do the same for readers of all ages. A great addition to home, public, or classroom library collections.

Early Book Review: Little Monsters of the Ocean: Metamorphosis under the Waves by Heather L. Montgomery

Little Monsters of the Ocean: Metamorphosis under the Waves by Heather L. Montgomery is a children's nonfiction title that is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2019. Everyone knows that butterflies and frogs go through metamorphosis. But a number of sea creatures do too! Experienced science writer Heather L. Montgomery explores wacky details in the life cycles of some of the world's most bizarre and fascinating ocean animals in this fresh spin on a highly curricular topic.

Little Monsters of the Ocean is a fascinating look at how some ocean life changes as it grows. Most people know insects and amphibians change as they grow, but I never thought much about creatures in the ocean. I had no idea how much crabs changed, and I know my children have no clue (at least until they read this)! THe text and images do a good job of explaining the vocabulary and processes involved without talking down to readers or oversimplifying the topic. I was completely enthralled with the read and learned so much about these ocean creatures as an adult, I think interested readers of all ages will be just as amazed as I was. While even scientists that study these creatures still do not know all the answers about how and why these things happen as they do, most of the answers we do have are included here. I like that the author also points out that we do not have all the answers, and that more study can answer some of them we might never know it all. I am hoping this mixture of science facts and explanations, and our unanswered questions, will help readers understand just how wild the world is and encourage them to study and explore further. I also like that the author included a metamorphosis cart, glossary, and further resources for readers to explore in the endpapers. Extras like that are always a great addition to a book, and help interested readers continue their explorations.

Little Monsters of the Ocean is well written, informative, and simply fascinating. Whenever you start to feel like you have a good understanding of nature, take a look at the crazy life forms in the ocean in books like this, and you will see just how little we all know. 

Book Review: Pedro 'n’ Pip: A Rock 'n' Roll Odyssey for Eco-Kids by Taylor Barton

Pedro 'n’ Pip: A Rock 'n' Roll Odyssey for Eco-Kids is a unique children's book by Taylor Barton. Pedro ‘n’ Pip is a raucous, uplifting rock 'n' roll odyssey about a tenacious ten-year-old girl, named Pip, and a ‘rockoctopus’, Pedro, who she meets while scuba diving after an oil spill in the Gulf. Together, they forge a powerful friendship and unite sea creatures and landlubbers alike to help clean up our waters for the good of all. A blend of colorful illustrations, easy-to-understand messages and an embedded musical score of more than a dozen original songs performed by a cast of award-winning musicians, including the legendary GE Smith, Robbie Wyckoff, (voice on Phineas and Ferb) Ella Moffly, Christine Ohlman, The Persuasions, David Broza and Jillette Johnson.

Pedro 'n’ Pip: A Rock 'n' Roll Odyssey for Eco-Kids is an interesting story- one that music fans, ecologically concerned children, and amateur marine biologists will understand and appreciate the most. Pip is a young girl with a vivid imagination and love of nature. When her father's company is involved in an oil spill her mission to help clean up is born- which lead her to the singing octopus Pedro. Yes, the story is strange, very much so, I do not mind that, and in some cases really appreciated it. I feel the same way about the inclusion of song lyrics. Sometimes this works, but I felt like the combination of both in the same book made it a little too unfocused. I just could not get lost in the story. Every time I would start to get into the flow another crazy event of song would pop up and I would lose the flow of the story. The adult is the story seemed to be fairly realistic at times, but more often than not completely unlikable. Pip's father had me upset with him in the very beginning, and I never really got over that- even when he was doing better.