Are you still looking for that perfect gift for that special child? We’ve got you covered.
Give a book on our favorite topic – marine life!
At Marine Science Institute we use story books as teaching tools when working with children. Plus, books are wonderful gifts for several reasons. You can choose a book that:
-- Fits the child’s interest, like a book about sharks.
-- Is one of your favorites, like The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
-- Introduces a child to a new topic. It could be their passport to the sea and marine life.
Books also make great gifts because they can be enjoyed now or later. It’s a gift that lasts and brings joy every time it’s opened.
In fact, Icelanders give each other books on Christmas Eve and then they spend the night reading. This deeply ingrained custom has created the Jolabokaflod, or “Christmas Book Flood,” when the majority of books in Iceland are sold between September and December in preparation for Christmas giving.
If you haven’t purchased books for your gift giving yet, we’ve got some suggestions. As the saying goes -- open a book and the world opens unto you -- or in this case the sea.
Here’s some children’s marine life book suggestions.
Hark! A Shark!: All About Sharks (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Bonnie Worth
We love sharks at the Marine Science Institute. Did you know there are several species of sharks found in the San Francisco Bay? In this book, Cat introduces beginning readers to all kinds of sharks! From the smallest (the dwarf lantern) to the largest (the whale shark), the most notorious (the great white) to the most obscure (the goblin), the Cat explains why sharks have lots of teeth but no bones; how their tough skin helps them swim fast and stay clean (inspiring scientists--and bathing suit manufacturers!); how pores along the sides of their bodies help them sense prey; that they have more to fear from us than we do from them, and much, much more!
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (A Narwhal and Jelly Book) by Ben Clanton
Now for something completely different. A wonderfully silly, early graphic novel series featuring
three stories. Perfect for grades 1-3. Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together. In the first, Jelly learns that Narwhal is a really good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever -- even though it doesn't have any words...or pictures!
Clam-I-Am!: All About the Beach (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Tish Rabe
No trip to the Marine Science Institute is complete without learning about invertebrates. In this book, Norval the Fish is hosting a seaside talk show for the Fish Channel–and the Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two are Cameracat and Crew! Among Norval’s special guests are his old friend Clam-I-Am (a shy gal who lives in the sand and likes to spit), along with horseshoe and hermit crabs, jellyfish, sand fleas, starfish, seagulls, and miscellaneous mollusks. Seaweed, sea glass, tides, tidal pools, dunes, driftwood, and waves make cameo appearances, too.
Baby Beluga by Raffi
Raffi’s most popular and beloved song, about the “little white whale on the go,” is now available as a sturdy board book edition – just the size for babies and toddlers. Plus here at the Marine Science Institute we can’t stop signing the song, “Baby beluga in the deep blue sea, swim so wild and you swim so free.”
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean (National Geographic Little Kids First Big Books) by Catherine D. Hughes
There’s so much marine life to learn about. This book is an adorable animal reference that includes the sea's high-interest animals, such as dolphins, sharks, sea otters, and penguins, and introduces kids to some of its lesser-known creatures. More than 100 charming animal photos illustrate the profiles, with facts about the creatures' sizes, diets, homes, and more.
These are only a few of the fascinating children’s marine life books available. We invite you to explore them with your child and to explore the amazing creatures that call the oceans home. The books listed above can be purchased through your favorite book store. Happy holidays.
