Customer Reviews

Wonders of the Sea Volume Two: Marine Jewels of Southern California's Coast and Islands (Wonders of the Sea, Volume 2)

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The first time I thumbed through this book, I was completely blown away by the images. I'm not a diver, so I've only seen the sorts of creatures pictured here in aquariums, and it amazes me to think all of these strange and beautiful creatures live in the waters right off California's coast. Such a different world underwater, and yet most of us know very little about it!

I was even more impressed when I took the time to read the text of Wonders of the Sea, because it's super informative. It highlights the differences between San Diego and Santa Monica Bay, from habitat types to critters to the recreational opportunities common at popular beaches and reefs.

Possibly my favorite part of this book, though, is the history lesson its "looking back" sections provide. It's wild to see fishermen in three piece suits hoisted tuna the size of small whales. Hard to believe that fish were so much bigger just a few decades ago, but that really just goes to show what our booming population, and advances in fishing technology, have done to the ocean. Wonders of the Sea ends with a hopeful, inspiring note: there's a lot we can do to ensure these undersea treasures are still around for our kids, starting with supporting ocean conservation efforts like the Marine Life Protection Act.

Highly recommend this book--a great gift for kids, especially!