Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
What Makes An Ocean Wave? Questions and Answers about Oceans and Ocean life
Illustrator: John Rice
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 8 to 10
Scholastic , 2001 ISBN: 978-0439148825
Though many of don’t think about oceans very often, oceans are critical to our survival on this planet. Without them there would be no rain and no water for plants and animals. The oceans “spread the sun’s warmth around the globe,” and many people around the world depend on the ocean for food and for a livelihood.
In this fact filled book, Melvin and Gilda Berger answer all kinds of questions about the world’s oceans. They begin by looking at ocean waters, exploring (among other things) what causes waves, what tsunamis are, how deep oceans are, and why the ocean is blue.
Next, the authors answer questions about the plants and animals that live in oceans. They talk about food chains and why plankton is so important. They look at fish and how these animals are beautifully adapted to the environments they live in. They even answer questions about sea monsters and mermaids.
In the final section in the book, the authors answer questions about coastal environments and the animals that populate these areas. Here readers will learn about beaches, tide pools, and seabirds.
Like all the titles in the Scholastic Questions and Answer series, this book gives readers answers to questions that children really are interested in. The answers they give are easy to read and just the right length to keep children engaged and interested. Overall, this book helps readers to understand that the world’s oceans are precious places that we all need to protect for future generations.
