Sea Bones

March 9, 2015
Barner returns to the calcified subject matter of Dem Bones (1996) and Dinosaur Bones (2001), this time exploring the bones (and lack thereof) of undersea creatures like sharks, whales, and jellyfish. A loose rhyme (“A coral reef sparkles on the ocean floor./ Made from the skeletons of those that lived before”) and Barner’s brightly painted paper collages carry readers swiftly through the pages, but the real information is tucked into captions that discuss the animals in greater detail (“Cartilage is lighter and more flexible than bone, which helps sharks swim fast”). A collaged chart that lets children compare the skeletons and diets of eight sea creatures wraps up this bone-deep tour of the briny deep. Ages 5–8.

May 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Having romped through the world of bones with Dem Bones (1996) and Dinosaur Bones (2001, both Chronicle), Barner turns to the bony (or not) denizens of the ocean. His colorful, impressionistic torn paper, pen-and-ink, and watercolor illustrations splash enthusiastically across the pages, accompanied by double-decker text. Simple, rhyming single sentences aimed at younger children sprawl about in large bright print, while brief paragraphs, clinging tidily in conventional type, present a modicum of additional data for older readers or for parents or teachers to share with the curious. From sea jellies to blue whales, sharks to coral polyps, the wide variety of creatures is eye-catching and inviting. A final colorful chart of "Sea Facts" allows for quick comparison of the eight pictured species. VERDICT Looser in its organization than Barner's previous bone books, this is another exuberant, colorful approach to all things bone.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

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