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(4)
4-6
Living Wild series.
Eye-catching close-up photographs enliven this informative text. Seahorses' appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, threats to survival, and representations in culture are all addressed in great detail, while sidebars provide additional information. Although lengthy chapters and the absence of a table of contents make quick reference difficult, thorough indexing helps mitigate this drawback. Bib., glos., ind.
24 pp.
| Child's
| January, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503816886$27.07
(4)
K-3
In the Deep Blue Sea series.
After tips to adult caregivers on encouraging new readers, each choppy easy-reader text provides a simple overview of a disparate fish species--clownfish, sea horses, and sharks--describing the animal's physical appearance, diet, life cycle, and threats to survival. Close-up underwater photographs elevate the fairly skimpy content; "Did You Know?" sidebars provide additional cursory facts throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these In the Deep Blue Sea titles: Clownfish, Sea Horses, and Sharks.
(4)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Pete the Cat goes scuba diving in hopes of seeing a seahorse. Questions ("What could it be?") help lead readers through the slight story with a clipped early-reader text suited to Pete's signature chilled-out personality. The bright illustrations should hold the interest of observant beginning readers: the seahorse is actually tagging along with Pete on every page.
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Ocean Animals series.
These basic introductions offer cursory facts about appearance, habitat, food, and life cycle. Simple if choppy texts for emergent readers are adequately reflected in the accompanying photos. The appended "Quick Stats" sections offer oddly conceived size comparisons (e.g., "a big-bellied seahorse is longer than a basketball"), some with confusing visuals. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on Ocean Animals titles: Clown Fish and Seahorses.
(4)
K-3
Ocean Life series.
With clear, bright photos and simple texts, Hansen presents useful facts about seahorses and select tropical fish (clown fish, angelfish, tang fish, lionfish). There's not a ton of information, but what is here is engaging. The appended "More Facts," though random, are also illuminating: "Seahorses are not good swimmers. They travel more easily by holding onto pieces of floating seaweed." Glos., ind. Review covers the following Ocean Life titles: Seahorses and Tropical Fish.
40 pp.
| Knopf
| April, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-87036-1$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-97036-8$19.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-307-97967-4
(4)
K-3
Though relentlessly taunted by Crabby, best friends Peanut Butter (a sea horse) and Jellyfish don't ignore his pleas for help when he is caught in a lobster trap. Citing jealousy as its root, Crabby apologizes for his bullying behavior and the three become friends. The colorful digitally collaged acrylics paint a happy setting for this tale of an unbelievably self-aware bully.
(4)
1-3
Mermaid Tales series.
In Lost, Shelly discovers she is a princess and worries about taking on her royal duties. In Secret, Echo meets Rocky's sea horse and debates whether sea horses should be kept as pets or live freely. Although both stories tend to be melodramatic, series fans will still enjoy these lively underwater outings. Perky line illustrations are scattered throughout. Glos. Review covers these Mermaid Tales titles: The Lost Princess and The Secret Sea Horse.
213 pp.
| Charlesbridge
| February, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-57091-641-0$16.95
(3)
4-6
Petronius, an articulate seahorse, narrates this ocean adventure about Higgins Hole, a peaceful reef community. When threatened by a group of bloodthirsty sharks, Petronius and friends must figure out how to save their community and their lives. Fishy puns, dynamic vocabulary, suspenseful action, and black-and-white drawings of the smart yet goofy-looking sea creatures make this a winning package.
32 pp.
| Holt
| September, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9239-4$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Chad Wallace.
This elegant picture book chronicles the life of a male sea horse, touching on growth, mating, "pregnancy" (male sea horses carry eggs), and birthing process. Though informative, the text is rife with lyrical language (e.g., of the mating ritual: "he waltzes around her to music only they can hear"). Soft-edged digital illustrations draw the reader into a dreamlike underwater world. Websites. Glos.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| October, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2336-1$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Dan Andreasen.
Told by a jovial red lobster, this retelling takes place in the deep ocean where Santa is a walrus in a conch shell sleigh pulled by eight tiny seahorses. Andreasen's oil-paint and digital art is cheery but cutesy. The undersea setting is a tad gratuitous, though some children may find the aquatic re-imagining entertaining.
24 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-604-0$21.32
(3)
K-3
Water Babies series.
Geared to beginning readers, this adequate introduction uses short sentences and engaging color photographs to present the life cycle of an Atlantic lined sea horse from conception to adulthood. The book briefly covers mating, diet, habitat, and growth. A small world map shows where the animals live. A few boldface vocabulary words are defined in a picture glossary. Reading list. Ind.
24 pp.
| QEB
| September, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60992-049-4$25.65
(4)
K-3
Life Cycles series.
This book provides basic facts about sea horses and their life cycle. Beginning with the explanation that a sea horse is a type of fish, the text then briefly describes stages (egg, fry, adult), courtship and mating, male "pregnancy," and life as a fry and adult. Despite choppy sentences (including an incorrect fact), the book, with many attractive color photos, will draw young readers. Glos., ind.
57 pp.
| Houghton
| August, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-20713-1$18.00
(2)
4-6
Scientists in the Field series.
Illustrated by
Scott Tuason.
Readers follow a conservation group--Project Seahorse--in its efforts to preserve seahorses, coastal reefs, and the fishing-based livelihood of the residents of Handumon, in the Philippines. Interspersed with the scientific and political work are intriguing details about seahorses, portrayed beautifully in Tuason's underwater photography. Also included are pictures of all team members--scientists and fishers alike--at work, with their families, and together celebrating their accomplishments. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2010
32 pp.
| Barefoot
| March, 2004
|
TradeISBN 1-84148-704-X$$14.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Clare Beaton.
A minimal rhyming text invites readers to follow a sea horse, cleverly camouflaged on each spread, through the coral reef. Felt, fabric, buttons, and sequins are skillfully arranged to portray the underwater world and its inhabitants. Included are a mermaid and a cold-water lobster (rather than the spiny lobster common to reefs), making this less useful as a coral reef introduction.
40 pp.
| Philomel
| May, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-399-24269-4$$16.99
(3)
K-3
While carrying Mrs. Seahorse's eggs in his pouch, Mr. Seahorse encounters other male fishes doing their part in caring for their young. Alternating spreads contain watercolor painted overlays that provide camouflage for various fish. Carle's collages attractively illustrate the ocean environment and the life that inhabits it.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| December, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-2869-6$$24.90
(4)
K-3
Brief, second-person text about these fish leans toward the sentimental: "If you were a seahorse, you would enchant all who saw you. One glimpse of you would remind people that there was magic on Earth." Some of the unusual features of these animals, such as their monkey-like tails and fused jaws, and a word about sea horse conservation, are mentioned. The photos show the variety of seahorse colors, sizes, and shapes.
(4)
4-6
Sea Creatures series.
Following a description of an imaginary dive to find the featured sea creature, the books in this series provide factual information about each creature, including what they eat, how they reproduce, and how scientists study them. Facts about the animals' endangerment precede tips on how to help save them. The clear, captioned color photos are instructive, but some spreads appear cluttered with images and sidebars. Reading lists. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Sea Creatures titles: Sharks and Seahorses.]
48 pp.
| Lerner
| October, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-3051-1$$23.93
(3)
K-3
Early Bird Nature Books series.
Similarities and differences among sea horses and other sea creatures are clearly defined, as is the sea horse's habitat, diet, and parenting methods. Terms such as brood pouch and holdfast are explained and illustrated with sharp, close-up color photos. A final section addressed to adults features suggestions for enriching a child's experience of reading this book. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Soundprints
| May, 2001
|
TradeISBN 1-56899-869-4$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Smithsonian Oceanic Collection series.
Illustrated by
Steven James Petruccio.
A male seahorse mates with a female and cares for the fertilized eggs in his pouch until they hatch into baby seahorses. As the seahorse avoids predators and searches for food, a wide variety of other ocean creatures are introduced. The clearly written text is accompanied by panoramic illustrations that vividly portray the creatures found in a tropical reef. Glos.
(4)
K-3
Pull Ahead Books series.
Using close-up color photographs and brief, easy-to-read sentences, the author introduces young readers to the habits and characteristics of sea horses. The text invites the reader in by posing questions: "How many sea horses are camouflaged here?" In this case, the reader is left wondering since the answer is not included in the book. The book includes a habitat map and a body-part diagram. Glos., ind.