The Kingfisher Young People's Book of Oceans (Kingfisher Book Of) [Hardcover]

David Lambert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1997 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Kingfisher Book Of

From the deepest ocean trenches to the vast veils of microscopic plankton that blanket the surface, this richly illustrated reference offers a unique view of the wonders of the world's oceans and seas. Superb photography reveals this fascinating, often unseen, watery world. Beginning with an overview of how oceans and seas were formed, the informative text delves right into the oceans' physical characteristics and features, and continues with an overview of the wide variety of animal and plant life that thrive in this salty, wet environment, including a look at some mythical creatures. The book also covers the adventures and equipment of ocean explorers and travelers. It concludes with a discussion of the need to protect and preserve this irreplaceable natural resource. Any child who has played in the ocean's waves or collected shells along the shore will cherish this book.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?This title updates Lambert's Seas and Oceans (Facts on File, 1985; o.p.). While the narrative is somewhat dry, the graphics, which include satellite photos, underwater shots, drawings, and reproductions, are vibrant and engaging. A depiction of what is now the Mediterranean filling with ocean water is connected by a flowing blue arrow to a dramatic image of what that massive waterfall might have looked like five million years ago. Double-page illustrations, some horizontal, some vertical, amplify the topics. The cross-sectional drawing of underwater geological formations includes ocean vessels floating on the surface, dwarfed by the natural landscape. Sometimes the collages of photographs and drawings are confusing. For example, an illustration of a coral reef includes Pacific and Atlantic species. Maps abound and show the four main oceans, the evolution of the continents, ocean currents, migration paths, voyages of exploration, major shipping lanes, and more. A listing of 40 prominent oceanographers since the 1700s and their important contributions is appended. This colorful glance at marine life is similar to Miranda MacQuitty's Oceans (Knopf, 1995), but broader in scope.?Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Children's Literature

This large format book provides a wealth of information about oceans, the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet...ideal for browsing and as a springboard to books with more information.

School Library Journal

This colorful glance at marine life is similar to Miranda MacQuitty's Oceans (Knopf, 1995), but broader in scope.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Kingfisher; 1st. ed edition (September 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753450984
• ISBN-13: 978-0753450987
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eye-catcher sparks student interest!, June 25, 2000

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"scibuff" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kingfisher Young People's Book of Oceans (Kingfisher Book Of) (Hardcover)

This book was one of about 20 or so books I used in my classroom for a self-guided and self-paced unit on oceanography. It was one of the most-used books in my selection - students were quickly absorbed by the beautiful illustrations, and used it not only for their research, but were also seen choosing it for independent choice reading. The book was useful in sparking interest in marine biology, and gave a basic understanding of the content addressed. It was useful as a starting point for further research, but did not give the detail their research required. In all, I would recommend this book as a lovely and colorful introduction to oceanography.