Jump Into Science: Coral Reefs

Jump Into Science

by Sylvia A. Earle

Earle takes children on an undersea journey to explore an amazing "underwater city." She explains the formation of coral reefs and provides information about the conditions needed for survival. In addition, the author introduces other animals that live in and near the reef and stresses the importance of protecting corals from pollution. Matthews's ink-and-gouache paintings bring the colors and variety of this habitat to life. The book also includes a simple experiment that demonstrates how "filter feeders" strain food from the water.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Sylvia A. Earle is an American oceanographer, aquanaut, and author.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic introduction to coral reefs for the picture book crowd. I appreciate that the illustrations are detailed and label most of the fish and other marine life in each scene (though a few do fall a bit short, such as labeling the shark only as "shark" rather than what type of shark). I especially liked the mention of the differences between coral reefs during the day and night. There's a brief conservation message at the end but it is not too doom-and-gloom. No Bibliography -- I think it would have been nice for suggestions for further reading, though Sylvia A. Earle is an expert and I feel confident with the information she provided. (Incidentally, the picture book biography about Earle is nice if you're studying oceans: Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle.) If you can't get Earle's Coral Reefs books, consider also Coral Reefs by Gail Gibbons.

[The Book Maven · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's kind of funny to think of all the coral reefs I have explored--in Mexico, and California, and Hawaii--and admired, but how little I understand about the science and biology behind their beauty. Thank goodness for National Geographic, is all I have to say, for this stunningly, gorgeously illustrated and highly educative book. I fully expected to just admire the lovely imagery, but they clearly knew what they were doing--the imagery draws you in, of course,but the corresponding text explains it all so perfectly and easily.

If you or your family are going to be going on any sort of tropical-like vacation, this is most definitely the perfect book to read before you go!

[Dorothy Carder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be an appropriate book for a third or fourth grader to learn more about coral reefs. It gave details about the plants and animals that lived with coral reefs and where these habitats are on the earth's surface. This book was endorsed by the National Geographic and had a science experiment for kids to try in the back!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

In school this week we have been reading/watching videos on aquanaut Sylvia A. Earle. It was cool to read this fun yet informative picture book by her about Coral Reefs and their importance to our planet. The afterward has an easy experiment to show how filter feeders get their food.