Fabulous full-color photographs of the beautiful and the bizarre will draw children into this introduction to ocean life. In addition to information on animals (ranging from sharks to marine birds to whales), there's a short, non-preachy section on protecting the ocean. Filled with fascinating facts in a restrained amount of text, this book will be a browser's delight. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Striking photographs illustrate this collection of marine animals, a sampling of remarkable creatures that live in and around the ocean. This substantial revision of the author's Oceans: Dolphins, Sharks, Penguins and More (2010) repeats much from the earlier volume, including the introduction by Sylvia Earle, the general description of the oceans of the world and their layers of life, and some of the informative text. New material has been added; the design has been spiced up; and old text rearranged and illustrated with different, beautifully reproduced action photographs. Separate, color-tabbed sections describe coral reefs, sharks and rays, marine mammals, whales and dolphins, marine reptiles, marine birds, and "bizarre creatures." Interspersed are spreads on "ocean extremes" of various sorts (explorers are lowered to the polar ice on "ice buckets," for instance). The reorganization makes better sense than the original's, and the new material includes a section on habitats and a description of the National Geographic-sponsored Pristine Seas Project. Rizzo's information is conversationally delivered, accurate, and likely to appeal. This new version capitalizes on children's familiarity with the Disney Pixar marine world: a blue tang (like Dory) swims across the front cover; a clownfish (like Nemo) peeks out of the title O, and several more hide among anemones on the back cover. As before, it concludes with 20 sensible ways even landlocked readers can help protect the water world. A child-friendly invitation to dive in. (glossary, index, picture credits, acknowledgments) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 3-6-Polar bears swimming underwater, colorful sea stars, luminescent fish, and bright coral reefs are just a few of the images sure to lure eager eyes. An introduction by Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, explains that in order to protect and preserve our oceans, we first must come to an understanding of marine life. Rizzo wonderfully covers how geographers divide "one world ocean" into four (possibly five) for ease of identification, along with a plethora of sea creatures' behaviors and habitat, a brief explanation of tectonic plates and subaqueous geography, relevant statistics, and even comparisons between an octopus and squid. Recognizable animals such as sharks and dolphins as well as more obscure creatures including marine iguanas are featured, and there are explanations of how marine biologists and ecologists work and operate in this often challenging environment. The text is simple but provides enough information and fun facts that readers will walk away having learned something about their favorite aquatic animal-plus the larger trim size allows the images to shine. Spreads on ocean habitats, the Pristine Seas Project, and "20 Ways You Can Protect the Ocean" help to integrate ideas on conversation without being preachy or topical; the overall message is that humans will greatly benefit from the health of the oceans and their inhabitants. VERDICT A lively offering for inspiring seafarers, in the standard National Geographic format, best for classroom use.-Kathryn Diman, Bass Harbor Memorial Library, Bernard, ME © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

If the close-up, action photographs of sharks, sea turtles, and blobfish don't make you want to dive in to explore both the ocean and the book, maybe the fuzzy baby penguins will. The ocean and its creatures are broad and vast, and Rizzo and the National Geographic team have filled every page with images of diverse ocean landscapes and inhabitants. The book starts with an introduction to the four (or maybe five, depending on the expert) oceans and moves on to groups of animals, which are linked together by colorful side tabs. The writing is done in a fun, conversational tone walruses are referred to as not-so-graceful ice dwellers, for example and profiled animals come with a weird but true fact. Information is scattered throughout the page, and there's enough to educate oceanographers and marine biologists young and old. This is one to pore over for both the gorgeous photographs and ample facts, which will hopefully inspire the next generation to protect those creatures in the deep blue sea.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2016 Booklist