We just wrapped up our O is for Ocean preschool unit. I will get our activities and some really awesome printables up soon, but I wanted to start with the books. There are a ton of really good ocean books out there. These are a few of our favorites. Enjoy!
This is a great book for focusing on sharks. Obviously. It has lots of great pictures of different kinds of sharks and other cool facts about sharks. Sometimes nonfiction books can be hard to read with little kids because they are too wordy and the print is small. This one was perfect for those young readers. The print is a good size and, although it gives a lot of information, it isn't too much. Sweet Girl became a little obsessed with sharks after reading this book.
I was surprised at how much I liked this book. I am not the biggest fan of the Cat in the Hat. Does that make me a bad person? Anyway, this book has so much information. It goes through all the layers of the ocean (I didn't even know there were layers in the ocean.), and what animals live in each layer. With each animal there are a few interesting facts and some fun pictures. It's a little long, but a great book anyway.
I love this book. It just cracks me up. It is the 2013 Caldecott Medal winner, which is the award given for best illustrations. It starts off with a little fish admitting he stole a hat and is on the run from a big fish. It isn't a real informational book, but it takes place in the ocean and and it is so cute that it had to be included on this list.
I loved the brightly colored illustrations in this book. It made for a fun read. The little boy in the story is diving deep down in the water and meets all sorts of different ocean life. The cutest part was the end when we find out that he was diving down in his own bathtub.
Rays, Sharks and Sea Turtles
I bought these books together in a set. They are great nonfiction books for really early readers. There are only a few words on a page so it's really easy for kids to understand. The photographs in the books are great too. they show close ups of the animals with labels. Perfect for preschool!
This is a great fish counting book. It starts with ten little fish swimming together, and one by one they go away. The illustrations were adorable.
This came in the same set as the Rays, Sharks and Sea Turtles books. It's another great nonfiction. There are some really cool pictures of star fish. Did you know if there arms break off they can grow new ones? I do, because I read this book.
Swimmy
A little black fish lives in a school of little red fish, until one day they are all eaten, and the black fish has to go find a new home. He swims through the ocean and meets all kinds of new animals in the ocean. He eventually finds a new school of fish and helps save them. I'll admit I was a little shocked when his entire school dies on the first page, but the book gets better after that. Leo Leoni has very unique illustrations.
I loved this story. Mr. Seahorse carries the eggs from Mrs. Seahorse in a pouch in his tummy. Mr. Seahorse swims through the ocean and talks to other fish who are also carrying their eggs around in unique ways.
A House for Hermit Crab
Hermit Crab's shell is starting to feel tight, so he goes in search of a new shell, but when he finds one it is just too plain. As he wanders through the ocean he meets different sea creatures to help decorate his shell. My favorite thing about this book is that you get a look at some of the other sea creatures besides the typical fish, shark, or whale. Crab decorates his shell with a snail, a sea anemone and other creatures. By the time he is finished decorating his shell, it starts feeling tight again and it's time to start all over meeting new friends and decorating a new shell. I loved this book.
