Somewhere in the Ocean [Hardcover]

Jennifer Ward (Author), T. J. Marsh (Author), Kenneth J. Spengler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A counting book in rhyme presents various marine animals and their children, from a mother manatee and her little calf one to a mother octopus and her little babies ten. Complete with a glossary, musical score, and numbers hidden in the illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Students learn basic facts about a wide variety of marine life as they follow this singsong text, set to the tune of "Over in the Meadow." Clown fish, hermit crabs, tiger sharks, jellyfish, manatees, and sea turtles are just some of the ocean-dwelling creatures that readers meet along the way. While most of the rhymes are catchy, a few are awkward, such as "Somewhere in the ocean where the sea grass grows so even/lived a father sea horse and his wee babies seven-." The vibrantly colored, lively art is sure to hold children's attention. As extra assurance, the numerals are hidden throughout the illustrations. A glossary gives brief information on the plants and marine animals mentioned in the rhymes.
Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The nursery rhyme "Over in the Meadow" provides the model for the rhyming text of this picture book, but the habitat is the ocean, and the animal families are sea creatures. The idea works well, though the lines don't always trip easily off the tongue: "`Munch!' said the mothers. / `We munch!' said the five, / so they munched prickly urchins where the kelp forests thrive." Graceful of line and glowing with color, gouache paintings illustrate each quatrain on a double-page spread with a scene of sea life. The book ends with five pages of "Fun Facts" about the animals and their habitat as well as simple piano music and chords for setting the rhyme to music. Useful for teachers requesting picture books about ocean animals. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873587480
• ISBN-13: 978-0873587488
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer Ward is the author of numerous books for children and parents, each celebrating the wonders of nature, including Way Out in the Desert, Somewhere in the Ocean, Over in the Garden, The Seed and the Giant Saguaro, The Little Creek, Forest Bright/Forest Night, There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea, Because You Are My Baby, Way Up in the Arctic, I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature, and the forthcoming titles The Busy Tree (Marshall Cavendish, 2009), Let's Go Outside! Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature (Shambhala 2009), There Was an Old Monkey Who Swallowed a Frog (Marshall Cavendish 2010), and There Was an Odd Princess Who Swallowed a Pea (Marshall Cavendish 2011).

Her award-winning titles have been featured in magazines such as Ranger Rick, Your Big Backyard, Learning Magazine, Martha Stewart's Real Simple and Foreword, and she has been featured on national television and radio.

Her books have also received many honors, including the Giverny Award for Best Children's Science Picture Book, the American Booksellers Association "Book Sense Pick of the Lists", a Learning Magazine "Teachers' Choice Award for Best Children's Picture Book", a "Parents' Choice Award", a Governor's First Grade Book Selection for the states of New Jersey and Arizona, and a Grand Canyon Reader's Award winner and honors recipient, among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to ocean creatures, August 5, 2000

By 

"anonymous20" (The Olympic Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Somewhere in the Ocean (Hardcover)

I use this book as part of a children's program in Olympic National Park. It has several things going for it: the illustrations are beautiful; the rhyming is fun and engaging; each creature is introduced with an action; and it allows children and adults to readily relate through some universal concepts (like parent-child relationships, shelter, safety, playing, etc.). People from around the U.S. as well as from other continents enjoy and connect with this book. We talk about the animals in the story and discuss the meanings of any unfamiliar words during the program. Perhaps children reading this book outside of a ranger program would be inspired to find their meanings independently, and discover more about our dynamic oceans.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crabs, whales & sharks...oh my!, April 24, 2003

By 

Kalan (lexington, KY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Somewhere in the Ocean (Hardcover)

A rhyming counting story that makes us want to sing. The pages are bursting with color, mommy sea creatures swimming with their babies. The book introduces all kinds of sea creatures: Whales, fish, otters, crabs, sharks, seahorses, jellyfish & more. Utterly enjoyable for me as well as my 3 year old.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Huge hit with my 6-year-old!, May 5, 2009

By 

K. Estes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Somewhere in the Ocean (Hardcover)

My son checked this book out from his school library last week and we read it many times since. This morning he woke me up at 5:30 crying because he loves this story so much and doesn't want to have to return it to his school. Needless to say, we ordered the book for home. We love the fun rhyme and bright, engaging illustrations. My son also loves when I use the same rhyming pattern/song to continue the story using his and his brother's names and activities. Love this book!