Ocean Seasons

October 1, 2007
Gr 1-3-Through large, painterly pictures in soft, natural colors, this book shows changes in marine ecology through the seasons in the Pacific Northwest, comparing it also with land ecology. The emphasis is on food chains and the cycles of predator and prey. In spring, there is new plant growth in the sea, with urchins feeding on kelp and in turn serving as a meal for hungry sea otters. Whales are an important part of this ecosystem, and their yearly cycle of feeding, migration, and breeding is a focal point for this calm, easy-to-read narrative. Back matter includes a spread that has small cardlike blocks with color illustrations of ocean life and lists of prey and predators for each animal or plant. Readers are encouraged to photocopy the cards or download them from the publisher's Web site and then manipulate the cards to create groups of predators, allowing them to see that some animals are always at the top of the food chain. A final spread has seasonal information about land and ocean ecology. Although this book is not an exhaustive look at ocean ecology, it does give a conceptual glance at seasonal changes and the wide-ranging significance of the predator-prey relationship and the interdependency of the ocean's inhabitants. It's a nicely written and illustrated introduction with some unique features, especially the hands-on activity."Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, NJ"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.