Coral Reef [Paperback]

Donald Silver (Author), Patricia Wynne (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: One Small Square

Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time. "Science education at its best." — Science Books and Films

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

``These beautiful and scientifically accurate books capture your imagination with the excitement of observing nature and learning to interpret what you see.''--Dr. Nancy. B. Simmons, Assistant Curator, American Museum of Natural History. Dive into a clear, quiet, watery world where tiny coral animals build one of the wonders of the world--a rock-hard coral reef. A flashlightfish (no batteries included) glows and countless tentacles sway back and forth in search of food. This colorful, action-packed undersea circus will thrill you with snapping jaws, squirting ink, shooting darts, and hungry sharks devouring their prey. But you're safe--and magically dry, too--when you explore the greatest reef of them all--one small square at a time. Coral Reef is just one of the exciting, vibrantly illustrated volumes in the critically acclaimed One Small Square series of science and nature books for children ages 6-9. Each book includes: stunning full-color illustrations of each habitat and its creatures; motivating experiments and activities, along with clear, diagrammed instructions and safety tips; a picture field guide to the habitat; a glossary-index and resource list. One Small Square--an eye-opening series--puts the whole world in perspective for children, one small square at a time. Each book is a thrilling, up-close encounter with mammals, insects, plants, birds, fish, amphibians, bacteria, and the ecosystems in which they live. ``Science education at its best.''--Science Books and Films. ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR: Donald M. Silver is the author of more than 40 science books for children and teachers alike. In addition to the award-winning One Small Square series, he has written The Animal World, Why Save the Rain Forest?, Extinction of Forever, and The Dinosaur Activity Book--all illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne. Patricia J. Wynne's illustrations have also appeared in Scientific American, Naturtal History, and The New York Times as well as in the highly praised books Hungry, Hungry Sharks, and The Human Body. Both the author and illustrator live in New York City.

About the Author

Donald M. Silver is the author of more than 40 science books for children and teachers alike. In addition to the award-winning One Small Square series, he has written The Animal World, Why Save the Rain Forest?, Extinction Is Forever, and The Dinosaur Activity Book—all illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne. Patricia J. Wynne’s illustrations have also appeared in Scientific American, Natural History, and The New York Times as well as in the highly praised books Hungry, Hungry Sharks, and The Human Body.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070579709
• ISBN-13: 978-0070579705
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,393 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Professional & Technical > Education > Specific Skills > Science & Technology
  • #34 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Water
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Environment & Ecology > Nonfiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, August 22, 2009

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coral Reef (Paperback)

Without the benefit of scuba diving classes and a collection of rented equipment, most children will not grow to see the coral reefs of the world in person. Brought vividly to life in the imaginations of children through the major animated film Finding Nemo and the short, live action segments that make up "Come See the Sea" on children's television programming, the coral reefs of the world serve as a sticky point of interest to delve into the life cycles of the creatures who make this fascinating ecosystem their home.

In Coral Reef - part of the One Small Square series for six to nine-year-old children, an in-depth, vividly illustrated journey travels through a small portion of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. Focusing in on an three-dimensional section of reef measuring four feet to a side and extending down in a rectangular column roughly twice that in length, series author Donald M. Silver guides young readers through the intricacies of reef flora, fauna, reproduction, nocturnal creatures, inter-species cooperation and many other fascinating features of this vibrant ecosystem.

With such a treasure of interesting animals and plants to work with, Silver unearths a plethora of fascinating trivia, facts, and foundational premises for life in the reef. From fish that cover themselves with slime at night to mask their aroma, to those who masquerade as friendly helpers in order to steal a bit of flesh, a wealth of memorable encounters are brought vividly to life through the visual pictures crafted through a vivid use of descriptive prose.

In Silver's trademark style the dangers in currents around reefs for divers is briefly pointed out, as well as some short safety tips. Although Silver realizes that children aren't likely to be making a hands-on exploration of the reef themselves, the series-wide emphasis on appropriate safety precautions makes its presence known in this title as well.

Due to the improbability of children exploring reefs in diving equipment Silver has substituted hands-on observational activities and experiments that illustrate the scientific concepts explored from the perspective of reef life. For example, after the observation of nocturnal reef life through the pages of Coral Reef, Silver encourages children to record their own findings regarding nocturnal plant and animal life in their own backyards. Instructions for a simple reef diorama, building a reef with Lego, observing the grooming habits of domestic animals and many other educational activities are also provided to turn the book into a multi-sensory educational experience.

Patrica J. Wynne's incredibly detailed illustrations draw children into the exotic world of the reef - filled with colour, motion, and incredible complexities. Her work is realistic and stands out as the work of a truly talented artist in the school of natural observation. Though created for children, her elaborate reconstructions of reef life on the page can compare favorably with the work of any other naturalist.

Our entire family, young and old, admired the artwork; my three-year-old was particularly taken in by the visual glossary of each creature mentioned in the text at the back of the book. We read the book in bite-sized chunks - though written in a form more narrative than textbook, there is still a great deal of information to be digested.

Whether your child's interest in reefs has been sparked by a famous film or visit to the fish section of a local pet store; whether you are preparing for a visit to a public aquarium that feature displays which recreate life in the reef or planning a unit study on coral reefs. No matter how you approach it, Coral Reef is sure to fascinate.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i did not get what this book was about before buying, but now that i do i love it even more, April 26, 2011

By 

skylarquinn - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coral Reef (Paperback)

I had a totally different conception of what this book was going to be (don't even ask, im kinda embarrassed now just thinking about it). other reviews are right, this is one of the most beautifully illustrated books ive ever seen! The level of detail is incredible. The names of the "chapters" are cute, and is the whole darn thing. I bought it for a 4th grader who love nature but has some mental challenges and can't read for himself very well, if at all. Hopefully his parents will take the time to read all the factoids included in each "level" of the square. I think he will love knowing about all the different marine life and find it fascinating. The book will definitely intrigue readers of all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Primer for adults and children about to go reef snorkelling, September 13, 2009

By 

Maryanne Bell "Ma Bell" (tacoma, wa USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Coral Reef (Paperback)

This is a lovely graphic, as well as informative, little primer on the wonders that wait you if you happen to be going on a family vacation that involves reef snorkelling or just want to explore the underwater in your child's mind's eye. We were lucky enough to go "Snorkelling on the 'Barrie" (the Great Barrier Reef), off Cairns - Michaelmas Cay and Hastings Reef as well as off a platform near Green Island. My almost 10 year old was just about fit to be tied by the time we got our gear on and he just wanted to go meet these beautiful creatures he had been reading about. Real life potato cod "Gertrude" and a lovely "Maori Wrasse" named 'Wally' and other reef life are stunning but also very evident is the damage that so called eco-tourism is actually doing to the Barrie and reefs just like it - lots of dead coral. The book addresses these issues simply too but the Australians seem to have a better understanding of the yin-yang of eco-tourism and sustaining livelihoods of people who care about the environment in a way that is more practical and accepting of all view points having a place at the table.