Book Description

This full-color die-cut storybook is in the shape of the sweet clown fish Nemo! Join Nemo as he has unforgettable adventures that lead him from the Great Barrier Reef, to a dentist’s fish tank, and back again. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Back to the Anemone.
This short story takes place after the adventures of the movie FINDING NEMO. Basically, it tells what happens to Nemo during a day in school. Other than that, there is no plot. The illustrations are not the quality of stills and shots from the film, but are recognizable. This is a decent book for young children who have seen the movie and also makes a decent gift for any fan of the film. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone's favorite fish invites youngsters along with him on a glittering undersea lesson in the alphabet. Rainbow Fish swims along the ocean floor-over, under, around, and through bright, bold letters-offering children a colorful and entertaining introduction to the basic building blocks of learning. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Perfect size for little hands/curious mind....
This book is perfect for my Four-year-old future marine biologist/shark enthusiast. Kudos to Joyce Pope for catering to Americas absorbing minds. My Son is so fascinated with sharks and already has a plethora of facts engrained in his memory but this book shares a few speerings on his favorite predators that he did not know. In his hunger for lore he concentrates harder on the fundamentals of reading grasping the whole concept easier. If you have a child that displays signals that reading and words may not be their forte I highly recommend getting Joyce Popes books subjecting the childs line of interests.
In short the books serve MANY purposes....encourages reading, teaches information, acclimates an only child to self-entertainment and (my favorite) occupies the childs time so Mom can focus on HER tasks!

A excallent fact book for future marine biologists
This leave people is such a good mood not only is it excallent but easy to understand ... Read more

Book Description

Fearsome and fascinating, sharks have an enduring appeal for kids. With this imaginative three-dimensional model-in-a-book kit, the great white can be easily built, deconstructed, and rebuilt layer by layer until each of its elements - cartilage, dentition, fins, gills, and then cardiopulmonary, digestive, and acute sensory systems - is understood. Included are discussions on interesting topics like shark fin soup, shark liver oil, and shark populations. With Uncover a Shark, kids can get up close and personal with a great white without getting bitten! ... Read more

Book Description

The brief life of Sumi, a coho salmon, is the subject of this lyrical picture book. All phases of Sumi's life are shown, from her trip downriver to the ocean; to her time as a mature fish swimming in the great seas; to the most mysterious period in her life cycle, the determined return against great obstacles to the remote creak of her birthplace. Thousands of people come to witness the last great moments in the lives of salmon because it is such a moving and interesting phenomenon.

Annette LeBox's poetic text and Karen Reczuch's shimmering illustrations offer young readers a lesson in ecology and a touching story of the natural world. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Story
I highly recommend Salmon Creek. It is an excellent resource for learning about the salmon in a rich poetic story form. The beautiful artwork enhances the story and there is more factual information, including a timeline, at the end of the book. ... Read more

Book Description

There are over 25,000 different species of fish in the oceans, lakes, andrivers of the earth.Some fish even breathe air and can live on land! What is a Fish?explains how fish swim, sleep, eat, reproduce, and defend themselves. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

good science book
This entire series of books on animals, their habitats, life cycles, etc. are wonderful! I own 13 of them now. I use these with my first graders during our animal unit. Each book has fantastic pictures and drawings. The information is presented very well but also simply enough that primary aged students can grasp the concepts and find it fascinating. The books also enable themselves to be read in pieces if you want to skip something or focus on a certain area. I highly recommend books by Bobbie Kalman! ... Read more

Book Description

Carlos pours cups, pints and quarts of water into his fish bowl, getting ready for his new puppy, Ripley. Readers can learn about capacity as they see just how much water it takes to make room for Ripley!

Book Description

With hundreds of fun shark facts and dramatic underwater illustrations, this Question and Answer book allows kids to dive into the deep-sea world of these fascinating predators. Readers will learn that all sharks have a sixth sense, see well in the dark, and lose as many as 20,000 teeth in a lifetime! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Adorable!
Not Norman:A Goldfish Story is a lovely story about a little boy who really wants a more interactive pet.Instead, he gets a pet that is always there for him, is always attentive and is always awake!!!!Unconditional love!This is a fun read for kids and it has clear concise pictures for children to enjoy!!!Great book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"So you want to be a sardine." Although not every reader will personally relate to the opening presumption of Chris Raschka's Arlene Sardine, all will appreciate his lively approach to the humble story of an unsung heroine. Arlene starts out as a little fish who knows exactly what color her parachute is--the slippery gray-green of a sardine. Her career takes off when she and a few of her "ten hundred thousand friends" are caught in a purse net and thrown onto the deck of a fishing boat. After taking her last gilled gasp, Arlene is sorted, salted, smoked, packed in oil, et voilà, her dream has come true!

While some adults may read this tale as either a morbid take on the traditional fish story or a thinly veiled call to vegetarianism, it is intended to be neither. Grownups occasionally need reminding that for children, the concept of death is not nearly so fraught with fear and panic and heartache as it is for adults. Arlene isn't much bothered by it either. She knows that sardines are, by definition, dead fish--she simply marks her target and shoots for it.

Raschka earned a Caldecott Honor forYo! Yes?, and his MysteriousThelonious garnered acclaim as the New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of 1997. In Arlene Sardine, he uses exuberant pastel watercolors and bold, abstract strokes to bring the undersea world alive (and keep it kicking even after the sea life is dead). His text is typically minimal and musical: "Then she was smoked, delicately. She was delicately smoked. Delicately smoked was she." Children will enjoy this matter-of-fact yet playful telling of one tiny fish's journey to sardinehood (and in the process discover words like fjord, thronging, andhermetically), and parents may also learn a thing or two by loosening up and swimming along for the ride. (Ages 4 to 8) --Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Arlene's Unfortunate Adventure
Arlene, the beautifully illustrated brisling, wants to be a sardine. She swims into a net and doesn't eat anything for three days in preparation of becoming a sardine. Arlene dies and the rest of the story explains how people turn Arlene into everything she wanted to be. What's not okay here? Manipulation by the author to try and convince the reader that it was okay for Arlene to want to become a sardine. That Arlene would intentionally want to get caught in a net, starve herself, and die is so misleading for a picture book that wants to explain, realisticly, how sardines are made. Raschka attempts to comfort the reader and soften Arlene's death by including lines after her death like, "...she was put on ice, in a box, with her friends," "I'll be Arlene felt well rested on the conveyer belt" and "I wonder if Arlene was a little nervous for the final inspection." It's obvious, this isn't a story about grieving but it is a story about death. It's not the book you pull off the shelf when you want to comfort a child who lost her pet goldfish. Yet, Arlene's death would have been better explained (and more appropriate) if it were told with the same honesty that explains the process that makes her suitable for human consumption. Raschka's weakness to cushion Arlene's death is the only flaw to this story. How unfortunate because every other aspect of the story is right on the mark. Illustrations are magnificant, the format well designed, a perfect balance of story and illustrations. Raschka is a true talent, one of the best children's book authors/illustrators of this decade. He has already redeemed himself, in the eyes of this reviewer, by creating yet another amazingly terrific book, "Like Likes Like."

A GOOD ATTEMPT GONE BAD
I admire Chris Raschka for his willingness to take creative risks. He certainly does that here. But in abruptly killing off the protoganist midway through the story, he seems to be taking aim not just at the character, but at the reader. It's a loathesome move. Books for even the youngest kids can and should contain the darker undercurrents of life, including death. But this book fails to broach the subject in an honest, responsible way. It's simply using death as a device to shock and provoke. That's not appropriate for adults and it's not appropriate for kids. (...).

My daughter loves this book
My daughter is now two years old and she loves this book. It starts out with a little fish called Arlene that wants to be a sardine - it ends with Arlene accomplishing her life-long goal - and gives some details of the process.

I think it is intended to be light-hearted, and since some reviews have concentrated on the grimmer aspects of the story (namely the heroine of the story dying and being packed in the can, or under some interpretations, turning life forms into commodities) I think I will tell you what my daughter enjoys about this book.

1) Arlene is a little fish that she can follow through the whole book because Arlene has a red circle on her cheek.
2) The fish swim "this way" and "that way". This seems to hold her attention - I think because the pictures are colorful.
3) She has a particular fondness for the word "thronging".
4) She likes to point to the pictures that show the different ways sardines are packed and say - "packed like this!!" She says it again, and again, and again...
5) She likes to pretend she is eating the sardines at the end of the story.
6) She claps when Arlene is finally a sardine.

The Very Short Life of Arlene Sardine
Some readers may be pleased with the bluntness and directness with which the author described what happened to the snared Arlene, from her flopping around on the trawler's deck to her being cooked in a can.
Some might think that this story was a laudable and unblinking effort to let children know, without any sugarcoating, what at least one part of the real world is like. I found this story to be revolting. My reaction was not due to my being squeamish about the subject or a refusal to face the truth. I have eaten many a sardine in my time,( one of which may have been Arlene), usually on crackers. The latest one was this morning, during a hike into the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho. It was delicious and I did not feel at all guilty as I gulped it down. Neither was the cause of my revulsion the fact that this was a children's story. I have no problem with telling children the truth about the world in so far as we understand it.
One of the great truths of the World is that life lives upon life. (Perhaps somewhere there is a little Blue-Green Alga who believes that he has evaded this way of making a living, having ... energy from the sun, but where does he think he got his CO2 with which to make carbohydrates?) No, what revolted me was the author's obvious message that poor little Arlene Sardine was predestined for the blue point special at your neighborhood sandwich shop. It was clear that the only purpose that she ever had in life was to serve as a tasty treat for Mankind. This story turns a living organism into a commodity, whose purpose in life, which it looks forward to, is to be eaten by human beings.
There is no hint or inkling from this book that Arlene might have lived out her life (and death) in any other manner. She might, for example, have become food for a Salmon, and it, food for another fish, and so on in the great round of life. She might have lived to procreate and therefore served to perpetuate her species, etc. etc. This story may true in one sense, but it is false in another because the child reader is taught not to confront the facts and learn how to deal with them, but to become desensitized to them. No, sadly, Arlene served only to perpetuate one of the greatest myths of our culture, and that is that all other living creatures have only one purpose, that of serving man, and that they enjoy doing so. In short, this story converted Arlene from a fellow life form to a commodity, to be used or discarded by Man as he sees fit. This is an important part of the mind set that has set our culture on a collision course with Nature, as Daniel Quinn brilliantly describes in Ishmael. The disastrous results we see all around us - atmosphere and water poisoned with over 70,000 synthetic chemicals, a population of 6.2 billion, surging beyond the limited carrying capacity of the Earth, Global Warming, just to mention a few of our more minor problems.
The great question that our ancient ancestors had to face , ( and contemporary traditional peoples still do ),was that life lives off life, and how do they handle that fact? They coped with it in a manner that is in stark contrast to way our culture approaches the subject. What is astonishing is that they consistently came up with similar or even identical answers. Even more remarkable is the fact that they labored under a more difficult dilemma than we. They regarded other living creatures, not as commodities, but, on the contrary, as fellow travelers or even as elder brethren from whom they could gather much wisdom. Yet they had to kill their brethren in order to live. They solved their dilemma through the worldwide myth of the Animal Master. They believed that their prey animals were controlled by a prototypical animal spirit and that if they treated the animals with respect as they hunted them and afterwards dealt with their remains, the Animal Master would insure that the animals will not really die, but will reappear the next year and offer themselves to the hunters again. Thus these ancient peoples symbolically demonstrated that they understood and accepted the great round of life and death that perpetuates and informs the world. Our culture may consider this myth to be nonsense, but the test of a myth (which Joseph Campbell once defined mischievously as a lie that tells the truth) is: does it serve the people who live by it well? The Animal Master myth has served traditional peoples, probably for hundreds of thousands, if not for millions of years, and enabled them to live in harmony with the rest of the world without destroying either it or themselves. Our culture is 7 - 10,000 years old. Another of our foremost myths is that of "unlimited growth". Inspired by myths that defy biological principals, what chance do you give our culture to last as long as that of traditional peoples?
Turning Nature into a commodity leads to the mentality of trying to patent living organisms or the dismissal of difficult moral issues. For instance, I happen to be pro-choice, but I do not pretend that there is no troubling ethical issue with respect to abortion. This book helps to propel us down a slippery slope that leads to such bizarre outcomes as the patenting of life forms, and the genetic engineering of the very food we eat without consideration of of the inevitable unforeseen consequences. Will we learn the error of our myths in time to remedy them? Not if our self-distructive myths continue to be passed on to the next generation in stories like Arlene Sardine.

"One Fish, Two Fish, Red..."
I have heard it stated that there is a very thin line between genius and insanity. Arlene the Sardine is very close to this line in dealing with the issue of death. Those who are scared of the potential of suicide might be very frightened by this book and would rate it low accordingly. The book, about a young fish who wants to become a sardine deals with death in an exceptionally playful manner... so playful that some could consider it macabre. This is a book one will either love or hate. Though, I was somewhat disturbed by the book... I believe that the book is exceedingly well done, with beautiful illustrations, and a playful narrative. It seemed reminiscent of the fairy tales of old... which were far more dark than today's Disney versions. It is a book definitely worth checkig out from your local library.

Crazy James ... Read more

Book Description

Enter the mysterious underwater world of the shark, and discover how the various members of this fascinating family of fish are perfectly adapted to their environments.Large, colorful spreads complemented by step-by-step illustrations and informative captions provide children with a close-up look at these toothy predators, including where they live, how their bodies work, what they eat, and how they catch their prey. Whether it's the ferocious tiger shark, the slow-moving basking shark, or the cleverly camouflaged nurse shark, every child's favorite shark can be found in this exciting overview of shark life. At the end of the book, an illustrated glossary and comprehensive index offer a feeding frenzy of exciting details to sharpen the young reader's reference skills. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My boys liked it
My boys liked this book. Yours probably will, too.

A nice kids book
If you are looking for some books for your young one to read and learn from "The Best Book of Sharks" is a nice start. Since it is directed to kids the detail level is minimal. If your kids like fish this book will have them asking questions.

This is a nice book for parents to read to their kids, while they look at the pictures ... Read more

Book Description

What I need for a good day's fishing is in here somewhere....

What's the secret toa good day's fishing?

Bright sun.
Cool breeze.
Favorite rod and reel.
Tackle box with bobbers,
hooks, and sinkers.
But we haven't gotten
to the secret...yet.

James Prosek, best-selling authorof Trout and Fly-Fishing the 41st,tells the story of a good day's fishing in this beautiful picture book, illustrated with the author's own gentle watercolors. For those who want to learn more about how to fish, there's a comprehensive glossary of lures and flies in the back of the book. A Good Day's Fishing will make a fisherman or fisherwoman out of anyone -- even a first-timer. ... Read more

Book Description

A Step into Reading Book. Nemo loves his father Marlin, and Marlin loves his little Nemo. In this Step 1 story based on Disney/Pixar’s new feature film Finding Nemo, young readers will love watching Marlin gain courage as he searches the ocean for his son–and seeing Nemo learn that he’s capable of great things, just like his dad! ... Read more

Book Description

When killer whales invade Glacier Strait, Coral's herd is in deadly danger. Reluctantly, Coral's father and mother send her in search of safer waters. The journey is not easy, and Coral confronts hungry sharks, menacing killer whales, and hazardous fishing nets. Inevitably, she encounters the greatest danger of all -- humans. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Venus among the fishes
As a second grade teacher I am always looking for books to read to my class that can help them relate to the subject I am currently teaching. When looking for a book to read during our ocean unit I came across Venus Among the Fishes. My kids love it. When I stop reading for the day they beg me to continue. I warn the kids that several parts are sad and often I find my kids crying along with me. I have recommended this book to several co-workers and they have all thanked me.

The best book review
****
THE BEST BOOK REVIEW

Killer whales trap a herd of dolphins. They send two young dolphins to get help. They get trapped at a Sea World place and meet some friends.
I liked this book because it is exciting and you don't know what will happen next. The characters were fun, protective, and brave. I liked all them. The setting was great. It was in an ocean where colorful reefs and fish live. It was easy to read and it was good. My rating for this book is four stars.

Great
This book i found at a local book store and read it. It is my favorite book i have every read. It is so well written and a good plot. The resion I am on amazon.com and on this books page is to buy it hardcover and add it to me favorite book library. If you are thinking about buying this book buy it.

An excellent shift in perspective.
This tale of a dolphin adventure is beautifully done. The details are solidly based in fact, and presented without excessive scientific jargon. It gives the point-of-view of a dolphin with just enough anthropomorhising to allow the reader to identify with the animal. It also presents the plight of our sea mammals without being overly maudlin. A delicate touch.

I bought this book for my 8-year-old daughter, but both of us enjoyed it hugely.

A great book!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is really interesting. It shows how other animals might think when they are in a situation. This is well written. I couldn't put it down. I read it in 3 days. I recomend this to anyone who likes interesting books. ... Read more

Book Description

This delightful, hilarious "fish chant" will have fish lovers laughing at the antics this author and illustrator imagine underwater. The jaunting text begs to be "chanted" out loud--if you can get through it without giggling! Wacky, bold illustrations add even more humor, yet accurately depict dozens of freshwater fish. TROUT, TROUT, TROUT! is an ideal collaboration of science and entertainment. Whether young readers enjoy fish in their own fish bowls, up at the lake, or on the end of their fishing poles, they'll get a kick out of chanting, "Trout, Trout, Trout!"

• The interactive chant and repetition of words is perfect for younger classrooms and storytime read-alouds.
• The humor will appeal to all ages, making this a great picture book for children and a whimsical gift for adult freshwater enthusiasts.
• Freshwater fishing is an extremely popular sport and something that parents and grandparents can enjoy with children.

Reviews (1)

Amazing Artwork
An incredibly fun-to-view book, and even more fun to read out loud. The art is stunning and ridiculously funny. ... Read more

Book Description

Sharks are one of the most ancient species, are found in all of the world's oceans, and are a subject of fascination for children. In lush watercolors and simple text, Jim Arnosky shows sharks in relative size, explains how they hunt, and shows close-ups of their eyes, teeth, and fins.Children will discover that sharks do not naturally prey on humans and learn simple, clear swimming safety tips. Jim Arnosky conveys the magnificence of sharks and their place in the life of the sea. This is the 8th title in the acclaimed All About series. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

terrors of the deep! or are they?
Have you ever wondered about sharks? Did you know that there are more that 250 species of sharks? Did you know sharks don't have bones? This book will teach you these facts and lots more. It even includes some shark safety tips.

All About Sharks is a very informative book. This book will help children understand these creatures of the deep better. I enjoyed looking all the pictures the book had of all types of sharks.

We recommend this book to children ages 5-8. Kids are curious about sea life and this is great book for them to read to learn more about sharks. The book would be a great reas aloud to science classes as well. ... Read more