A Swim Through the Sea (Paperback)

~ Kristin Joy Pratt (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-An alphabetical introduction to various forms of ocean life, as seen through the eyes of Seamore the seahorse. The intended audience is unclear, as the tone of Seamore's encounters, narrated in a large type, indicate a preschool audience, while the descriptive paragraph for each entry uses vocabulary too complicated for the typical alphabet-book crowd. For each letter, a creature is spotlighted and framed by a colorful border featuring other organisms whose names begin with the same letter. Especially lively is the one for "D"-active dolphins leap and swim above and within a multi-shaded ocean across two pages, reminiscent of a Grecian frieze. The "phosphorescent flashlight fish" combines a clever usage of the "ph" and "f" sound, and shows the purple fish glowing green and yellow against a dark background of deep ocean. The double-page view of "rippling rays round a reef" has them radiating out from the center of the spread in a dramatic point of view. All of the flowing, fluid pictures are full of action and detail. Some of the same animals are included in Anne Doubilet's Under the Sea from A to Z (Crown, 1991), but without that title's brief, clear entries.
Frances E. Millhouser, Reston Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

. . . an inspiration for all young environmentalists." -- Jacques Cousteau

At age 17, Kristin Joy Pratt is gaining international recognition with her work in educating children about our environment. . . beautiful watercolor illustrations dome by this very talented young author. -- NAPRA Trade Journal

OUTSTANDING SCIENCE TRADE BOOK FOR CHILDREN FOR 1995 Selected by the National Science Teachers Association Children's Book Councilas as the "Outstanding Science Trade Bood for Children for 1995." -- National Science Teachers Association Children's Book Councilas

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 44 pages
• Publisher: Dawn Publications (CA); illustrated edition edition (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883220041
• ISBN-13: 978-1883220044
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #150,959 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Swim Through the Sea, April 18, 2000

By A Customer

I am truly amazed at the talent of Kristen Joy Pratt. I think that her talent to supply children with useful information in a fun way is pure genius. Not only does this book give valuable information about the sea, it also shows the creatures in humorous settings. This book does a wonderful job describing the animals using word play. Learn about an amiable angelfish or a puffed-up porcupine! This book could be used for many grade levels. Small children could use this as an ABC concept book while older children could use this as an informational book to learn more about sea creatures. I loved the art work in her book. She begins by putting a picture of the continents on the front and back cover. From there it just gets better. She uses wonderful color and detail in her art to show the characters the story is talking about. As a teacher, this book works wonderful with a unit on the sea. This book is very resourceful and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the sea or in wonderful illustrations. Not only will you be amazed that there is something for every letter in the alphabet, but you can read facts about different creatures that live in the world under water!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Showcasing an alphabetically arranged variety of fish and other water-life forms, August 12, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Swim Through the Sea (A Simply Nature Book) (Board book)

Written and illustrated by sixteen year old Kristin Joy Pratt, A Swim Through The Sea is the creative and imaginative ABC board book the features Seamore the Seahorse as he explores the wonderful underwater ocean life with each depicted creature also representing a letter of the alphabet. Carrying preschoolers and kindergarteners from A to Z, Kristin's A Swim Through The Sea offers a delightful presentation of twenty-four interesting and beautifully drawn aquatic life forms and is a thoroughly fun approach to learning. An ideal addition to family, day care center, and kindergarten library collections, A Swim Through The Sea is very highly recommended for all children ages 3 to 5 for its unique, original, colorful, and educational format showcasing an alphabetically arranged variety of fish and other water-life forms.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A swim through the sea by Kristin Joy Pratt, February 22, 2008

By	jan dash - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

1.Books with universal themes for children should not use provincial measurements. Most of the world uses metric now. If not written solely in metric, then both metric and imperial measurements should be used. It would be simple enough to do, you just have to think about it.

2.The text (Organisms in intertidal zones surviving 50% dessication) is beyond the comprehension of a child learning the alphabet- so why it was set out as an alphabet book?
Why didn't the editors of this book re-orient it for either older children with the text intact, or younger children with a simpler text. In either case universal measurements would be necessary.
I will use the book for the pictures only.