Ocean Seasons [Paperback]

Ron Hirschi (Author), Kirsten Carlson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2007 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Seasons change in the ocean much as they do on land. Spring brings new plants and baby animals, while summer oceans are aglow with sparkly plankton lights, and autumn winds blow across the open water. In winter the humpback whales migrate to warmer waters, just as some land animals move to warmer climates. In fun, fanciful form, children learn about plants and animals that are joined through the mix of seasons, food webs and habitats beneath the waves. While set in the Pacific, similar changes occur in all the world s oceans.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a wonderful read-aloud. It is smooth, lovely and nearly lyrical. With the right tone of voice I think it could lure a child right to sleep. But it does more than that. Full of interesting facts, it introduces children to the beautiful marine world. Wonderful look at the oceans." --Armchair Interviews

"As a homeschooling mother, I am always looking for children's books that contain great education value, not just fluffy stories. Ocean Seasons is the type of book I love. This is a homeschool parent's dream." --The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

"While this beautifully written and illustrated book focuses on the Pacific Ocean, it can easily be adapted to life in other oceans. Whether used for research or to satisfy children's curiosity, this new take on the cycle of life will bring wonderment." --ForeWord

About the Author

Ron Hirschi lives on a small island in western Washington and walks the beach most days of the year. As a biologist, he also spends much time on the water, learning about and helping salmon and other aquatic fish and wildlife. As an author, he brings the excitement of what he learns onto the pages of books for young readers. Ron has written over 50 children s books. His books have been listed as Best Science Trade Books of the year, and won the John Burroughs Nature Book among other awards. Several of his books have been featured on Reading Rainbow. In addition to writing, Ron enjoys working directly with kids and takes them outside during his many school visits. They net fish to study water quality or search for frogs and salamanders in small ponds. They also study ocean life and it was on a trip to the beach with a group of elementary students that he got the idea for this book. Ron helped to raise the funds to purchase a tidal wetland that is now an environmental learning center and critical habitat for endangered salmon. His book, Salmon, remains a fund raiser for this (Nick s Lagoon) project.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (May 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934359165
• ISBN-13: 978-1934359167
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,177,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ocean Has Seasons Too!, July 10, 2007

By 

J. Nasse "book lover/educator" (New Mexico, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ocean Seasons (Hardcover)

Accurately sweet illustrations and edifying text pull the reader into Ocean Seasons. The book travels through the seasons in the ocean, particularly the northern Pacific ocean. It highlights animals, their habits, habitats, and their particular place in the food chain. As an example larger fish dine on smaller fish that dine on shiny plankton.

There is a lyricism in author Ron Hirschi's prose, while Kirsten Carlson's illustrations have a soft movement to match. Children will enjoying copying and playing with the food cards in the activity section while parents and teachers can lead children into deeper study with the mini-encyclopedic pages to follow. This book is highly recommended for children 3 - 7.

4.0 out of 5 stars If the ocean fascinates you, you'll love this book, September 11, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ocean Seasons (Paperback)

We, on land, are not the only ones who experience seasons. The oceans experience seasons of their own. Only their seasons are told by life cycles and migrations of animals instead of by the colorful maple trees. In this almost hypnotic telling, readers can learn some of the many interesting facts of the changing seasons of the ocean.

This is a wonderful read-aloud. It is smooth, lovely and nearly lyrical. With the right tone of voice I think it could lure a child right to sleep. But it does more than that. Full of interesting facts, it introduces children to the beautiful marine world.

Even though I'm a Kansas girl, I have always been fascinated by the ocean and the life that it holds. This book allows me to share some of that fascination with my children. While we read, we had many interesting discussions about various aspects of ocean life. Every time we turned the page another question would be asked. With that in mind, I look forward to using this book as a bouncing off point in my science class this fall.

Nothing quite grabs a child's attention like a gorgeously illustrated picture book and this one will accomplish that nicely. Especially handy are the activity sections at the end of the book for curious minds that want to know more.

Armchair Interviews says: Wonderful look at the oceans.

4.0 out of 5 stars Puffins abound..., July 15, 2007

By 

Barbara J. Rider "BJ loves books" (Ft. Lewis, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ocean Seasons (Hardcover)

My daughter Bethany loves Puffins and went absolutely wild over all the illustrations of this book!