Bill Nye the Science Guy's Big Blue Ocean (Paperback)

~ (Author), Ian Saunders (Author), John Dykes (Illustrator) "Next time you're in outer space, look down at your home planet..." (more)
Key Phrases: sea jellies

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Adapting a print format to fit the somewhat shotgun approach of TV, "The Science Guy" stars in his own book on our planetary ocean, its landscapes, and denizens. Sound bites of data and random factoids abound in the rather shallow waters here, skittering about like a school of tiny bait fish pursued by a predator and leaving bright, disconnected flashes of information briefly impressed on the mental retina. For example, in the chapter on "Sea Jellies" readers encounter a short paragraph on these glutinous creatures, a boxed sidebar defining "invertebrates," another one on cephalopods, a "Check It Out" caption on sea cucumbers, and another brief paragraph on sea stars. These three pages (which also include two large and three small illustrations, a decorative border, a chapter heading, and liberal amounts of white space) are concluded by an experiment. Promising in its format and written by a familiar face that pops up on PBS daily, this title is eye-catching and appealing. It makes its subject look like fun. But does it offer a real learning experience? Sometimes.
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Scientist and television personality Nye introduces young readers to the amazing, sometimes mysterious biome that covers nearly three-quarters of the earth's surface. He discusses marine animals and plants, salinity, currents, tides, the effects of earthquakes and tsunamis, and contemporary methods of exploration. Each chapter includes several illustrations, mostly in full color, as well as photographs, numerous sidebars, and an experiment designed to demonstrate a scientific principle. Most of the experiments are easily duplicated, use readily accessible materials, and can be performed without adult help. Specialized vocabulary is defined within the text, and the table of contents is fairly extensive. An attractive choice for classroom science lessons, this may also appeal to browsers. Kay Weisman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1st edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786842210
• ISBN-13: 978-0786842216
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #884,013 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Check It Out!, June 16, 2000

By A Customer

If your kids (and you!) love Bill Nye on TV, they'll also enjoy him in print form. Here Bill is up to his usual antics--but it's all serious science. This fun and accurate introduction to a number of aquatic concepts is likely to "hook" kids--so be prepared to follow this book up with one that goes into more depth!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ocean science is fun!, August 6, 2001

By	theresa springer (Colordo) - See all my reviews

Bill Nye The Science Guy has a winner, again. This one is the Big Blue Ocean. There are twelve easy to do experiments for children to do. How big is the ocean? That is the first question. It is answered very informatively, then it is followed by a great experiment to cement the concept for hands on learners. The whole book is formatted the same way with informational side bars added. Good third and fourth grade material.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars not entirely accurate, February 9, 2001

By A Customer

I have a Ph.D. in oceanography and have taught it in colleges. I was looking at this book for clues on writing oceanography for kids. I didn't read every word but in my skimming I found two pretty bad errors. The book says gives theocean off Chile as an example of a region with very little life (WRONG! there's upwelling of nutrient-rich water there and it's an example of a region with a lot of life) and that chemosynthetic bacteria at hydrothermal vents make oxygen (NO! it's energy). The book is fun but for readers who don't know a lot of oceanography, beware.