Secrets of the ocean 15 bedtime stories inspired by nature

Gr 1--4--From sea otters to sperm whales, marine iguanas to a jellyfish shaped like a fried egg, a wide variety of marine animals are featured in these 15 stories. Each entry contains a narrative telling of a time in an animal's life, be it a single day or a span of many years. Every eight-page snapshot features the main animal character(s) along with other creatures or plants that live nearby, with dramatic tension usually coming in the form of a predator from which the animal manages to escape. Many of the stories focus on the relationship between animal parents and their young, including those in which the father takes an active role, such as emperor penguin dads who protect the eggs while the mother goes out to hunt for food, and the spiny seahorse, one of the few species in which the father gives birth. "Science Behind the Story" features additional intriguing facts about each animal. Brightly colored illustrations give young readers much to marvel at. Brief mentions of environmental dangers, such as overfishing, climate change, and plastic trash in the oceans appear throughout but are presented without much context or further explanation. Back matter includes a world map with the location of each animal, glossary, and index. In the digital galley, there were no other source notes or bibliography. VERDICT A compelling set of stories that will fascinate animal lovers, and a recommended purchase.--Sue Morgan