Gr 2--5--Replete with information and vibrant images, Munro's newest nonfiction picture book is beautiful. Sharing the diversity of life found in coral reefs, the book showcases everything from trumpetfish to sea stars to eels, all drawn at the creatures' actual sizes. This thoughtfully crafted book will be an excellent resource for an ocean or coral reef unit. The references and additional information found in the glossary offer readers and teachers multiple ways to continue the learning that this book will spark. With a diagram to orient readers to the creatures illustrated and a map of coral reefs around the world, the reading experience feels like a trip to an aquarium (or, better yet, to a reef). VERDICT A useful addition to classroom and library collections on ocean life and conservation. Purchase where rich informational picture books are in demand.--Jen McConnel, Queen's University, Ont.

This picture book highlights over 25 species found in coral reefs around the world. Interesting facts about eating habits, unique features, and survival tactics used by each creature are presented on double-page spreads. There is even a double-gatefolded spread in the middle that reveals a reef shark! The sea creatures are illustrated at actual size, painted with India ink and vibrant acrylics. The media chosen are especially fitting since coral reefs are known for their bright colors. This book includes a list of resources for further reading, an index, and a glossary (terms are italicized rather than boldfaced in the main text). The back endpapers show a map of coral reefs around the world. The publisher thanks a scientist from an oceanographic institute for vetting the information, which lends credibility. This attractive book would work nicely for a preschool or early elementary storytime. One questionable note is the inclusion of the human species (represented by a flipper) and the playful and slightly preachy description of them as "harmless if they don't touch the coral."

Munro takes readers on a virtual field trip to Caribbean coral reefs, showcasing the "rich diversity of life" found there. Full-bleed, double-page-spread illustrations (and a bonus gatefold, unseen) surround readers with ocean creatures in their natural setting, mimicking a snorkeling or diving expedition. Descriptions of animals (from fish to crustaceans to mollusks; from the spotted scorpionfish to the batwing coral crab to the reef squid) appear on each page, creating a near field guide. Because multiple animals appear on every spread, readers must examine each description and then match it with one of the creatures in the illustrations. Thus youngsters become inquisitive partners, rather than passive observers, in the aquatic experience. That Munro depicts the animals at their actual size, and with colorful inks that mirror the habitat, adds to the realism. All the creatures are identified in the main text, and an appended legend also names all the fish that are shown there. Endnotes emphasize the importance of coral reefs and the threats to their existence; back matter also includes a list of related readings and websites, a glossary, an index, and a map of "coral reefs of the world." Betty Carter July/August 2020 p.154(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A Caribbean coral reef is home to a remarkable variety of sea creatures you might meet were you to swim there. Munro, who most recently introduced her young readers to Rodent Rascals (2018), now invites them to dive into a coral reef, like those she's visited, to meet some of its inhabitants, shown at their actual sizes. The conceit of this catalog is clever. A labeled diagram in the backmatter reveals that this is a mural, cut up into individual spreads. One, a double gatefold, accommodates a major portion of the reef shark. Each spread includes a label or labels and paragraphs of interesting information about the major creatures shown. This may include something distinctive about its habits (spotted cleaner shrimp and yellow nose gobies eat parasites off fish without being eaten in return), its body parts (rainbow parrot fish have fused teeth that make a kind of beak to scrape algae from coral), or the way it communicates (squids and octopuses change color) or defends itself (Atlantic blue tangs and southern stingrays have barbs). Italicized words like "echinoderm" and "venomous" are defined in a glossary. These clear, well-defined paintings reveal recognizable creatures (or parts, when they are too big to fit on the spread) among colorful coral and anemones. A fine way for budding marine biologists to get their feet wet while staying dry. (further information, resources, glossary, index, map) (Informational picture book. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.