Scholastic Reader Level 1: Ocean Life

by Brenda Z. Guiberson

Relaunch of the Scholastic Science Readers with brand new covers, photographs, and interior designs.

Whales, sharks, and dolphins are just a few of the amazing creatures that live in the sea. From the tiny coral shrimp to the enormous squid, this book is a very simple introduction to ocean life.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

Brenda Z. Guiberson has written many books for children, including Cactus Hotel, Spoonbill Swamp, Moon Bear and Disasters. As a child, Brenda never thought she wanted to be a writer—her dreams tended more toward jungle explorer. She graduated from the University of Washington with degrees in English and Fine Art. She started thinking about writing for children when her son went to elementary school, and she volunteered in his class and in the school library. After taking exciting trips that involved a fifty-foot cactus, hungry alligators and sunset-colored spoonbills, she wanted to create books for children that would be like a field trip. Her books are full of well-researched detail, and Brenda sees this research as an adventure—one that allows her to be a jungle explorer at last. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now if you are looking for an extensive and totally all-encompassing introduction to the ocean and to ocean life in general (for children, for young readers and/or listeners), well yes, you might well be a trifle textually disappointed with Ocean Life. For indeed, Brenda Z. Guiberson's presented text for Ocean Life, it primarily focusses and concentrates on some, on a select few of the main so-called ocean movers and shakers, it presents mostly whales, dolphins and the many species of sharks, and this part of me does think leaves Ocean Life a bit informationally lacking on a certain level, but which also in fact does make quite a lot of textual sense since Ocean Life is from its set-up and from the simplicity of Brenda Z. Guiberson's vocabulary choices and general syntax clearly meant for recently independent readers, for youngsters reading Ocean Life either on their own or alongside a parent or a teacher. And for the latter, for children who are just learning to read on their own, Guiberson's simple and straight forward, unadorned text in Ocean Life (and that she has chosen to mention how much actual life there in fact exists in the ocean depths but then concentrates on only a few select group of animals), this I do indeed consider as a very good and astute way of narrationally proceeding in Ocean Life, since in my humble opinion, a tome on every single aspect or on most aspects of life in the ocean meant for emerging readers could very easily become too information and too text heavy and equally could turn annoying and frustrating for the intended age and reading group, if there were a plethora of small informational bits and pieces presented that really did not function as an integrated whole (which is absolutely and thankfully not ever the case with Ocean Life and with Brenda Z. Guiberson's writing).

And yes, and furthermore, I absolutely and really do appreciate oh so much that although Brenda Z. Guiberson clearly demonstrates in Ocean Life that sharks (or rather that many sharks) are to be considered apex predators, she also and thankfully NEVER textually claims that sharks are in any way inherently dangerous and as such problematic or evil animals (and that Guiberson also does not ever show those annoying but universally accepted pictures of sharks with gaping teeth looking like monsters straight out of the movie jaws). Thus, both with regard to Brenda Z. Guiberson's text and the accompanying colour photographs, Ocean Life would generally be a solid four star rating, but that indeed, the non inclusion of a bibliography with suggestions for further reading does and like always rather majorly annoy and bother me (and yes, even though Ocean Life is clearly meant for children reading on their own, for come on, a bibliography for me always increases the educational value of a non fiction book, and parents, teachers, librarians could also make use of a bibliography at the back of Ocean Life to find more books on the ocean and on its denizens for their students, for their children to read).

[Sarah A · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introductory book for kids to ocean life. Very simple but uses excessive words than a level 1 reader book should. Also only covers a very few basic creatures.

[Kristel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This nonfiction text seeks to introduce Ocean Life to the beginning readers. Actual photographs, taken from National Geographic and other scientific sources, are easily the best part of this book. Portraying varieties of sharks, whales, dolphins and their prey in natural habitats, breathtaking pictures will catch the eye of any reader. Each picture is set upon a blue, yellow or orange-colored background, providing strong contrast to the photograph and text on each page. Small eyes unused to reading can follow along and continue to interestedly turn the pages. A glossary in the back provides a useful follow-up reminder of new vocabulary learned by readers. The title leads readers to believe they will learn more about ocean life than what is actually contained in the pages. A more appropriate title might be Big Animals in the Ocean—the author only discusses sharks, whales, and dolphins as well as what they eat. Difficult words are printed along with a pronunciation key but it is doubtful that beginning readers are equipped with the tools to read such keys. Not recommended for purchase for public libraries.

[Alyssa Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nonfictional book that contains a lot of interesting pictures and information about ocean animals. These animals consist of whales, dolphins, fish, and sharks. This book would be phenomenal to use in the classroom because it is extremely informational and can communicate with children through small words and colorful pictures. It would be most useful in teaching a unit on oceanography. Students may access this in their classroom library or the teacher could read it to the class. As a child, I was always interested in this particular unit. I loved reading books just like this.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used this in a lesson with my students on recognizing nonfiction books. This had several useful features - glossary, bold print, pronunciation guides for longer words. For contrast I paired it with the book, The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark, and even the kindergartners could tell me which was fiction and which was nonfiction.

[Angela Record · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for younger children learning about the ocean. This book has wonderful pictures and great information. The book also has a glossary.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little challenging for a 5-year-old to read, but she enjoyed having it read to her.

[Christin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son loves these kind of books right now.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great nonfiction read for younger students. Covers sharks, dolphins, squid, and whales. Very informative and even includes a glossary.

[Erika Little]

2 copies

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dolphins can hold their breath for 7 minutes. L.