Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia (Visual Encyclopedia)

Gr 4-7--This exploration of the undersea world is divided into seven different color-coded topics that address areas of knowledge including the location and structure of oceans and the life found there. Another section examines the relationship of humans with the ocean. Numerous crisp color photographs, charts, maps, tables, and diagrams are featured. Sections topics are in a bold font while image captions are presented in italics. Throughout, fact circles labeled "WOW!" add fascinating trivia. For example, a photo displays a close-up of a shark's teeth, while the fact bubble lets readers know that a shark has 300 teeth and that it isn't uncommon for the animal to, over the course of its lifetime, go through 30,000 different teeth. The eye-catching cover will draw in students and teachers alike, and the narrative will inform readers about the hunting techniques, habitats, size, and diet of different creatures. Other ocean-related topics are covered as well. Readers will appreciate a chart explaining tsunamis, an overview of types of seaweed, and examples of watery features such as atolls and lagoons. VERDICT Ideal for general interest or to support research projects in science or geography classes supporting the Common Core State Standards.--Beth McGuire, Hempfield Area School District, Greensburg, PA