If You Lived in the Sea, Who Would You Be?

by Julie Honan Johnston, Meg Sodano (Illustrator)

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Sara Fajardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect addition to any home or classroom collection, sure to spark animated conversations about the diversity of sea creatures. Bouncy rhyming text draws the reader in, while Meg Sodano's illustrations invite you to linger. From the gigantic blue whale to microscopic plankton, from surface to the deep sea, author Julie Honan Johnston gives readers an extensive view of the diversity of habitats and life that abound in the ocean.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful and engaging book takes you on a memorable journey through the sea, thanks to its captivating illustrations and rhyming storytelling. Perfect for the curious kids in your life who already love everything about the ocean or are curious to learn more. I love the thoughtful reminder that, regardless of where we reside, we remain linked to nature. It’s a great choice for both the classroom and bedtime reading! Recommended for ages 4-8, but perfect for ages 5-7.

[John Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully done book that will capture imaginations and help foster an appreciation for the diversity of marine life and the habitats they rely upon. Johnston’s writing is lyrical and simple – while subtly conveying biologically accurate information about the ecology and behavior of animals from anemones to killer whales. The illustrations are a perfect complement to the text that kept me lingering on each page and wondering what would be on the next. Johnston and Sodano make the sea come alive on their pages by showing the animals in a way that captures the mystery, fun, and beauty of marine life. As a wildlife biologist and professor of animal ecology and conservation, this is a book that I think will matter to kids. They will enjoy it over and over because it provides such a pleasing window into our oceans. And I also think it will contribute, from a young age, to instilling respect for and stewardship of our precious marine ecosystems that are at increasing peril in a rapidly changing world.
– John Benson, Associate Professor of Vertebrate Ecology

[Tanya Konerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

With bouncy and fun rhyming text, If You Lived in the Sea, Who Would You Be? encourages young readers to imagine themselves as one of many creatures that make up our oceans. From the down-deep in-the-dark dwellers to the reef hiders to the joyful above-the-wave jumpers, author Julie Honan Johnston takes a dive into the world of whales, blobfish, seals, anemones, turtles, oysters, and so many more, showcasing the uniqueness of each as well as their interactions. Lively, colorful illustrations from Meg Sodano feature each animal and offer glimpses into the various habitats, while back matter provides additional information on each sea creature mentioned in the book. Fun and fascinating!

[Rebecca Gardyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and delightfully told in perfect rhyme, this nonfiction picture book introduces kids to a huge variety of well-known and not-so-well-known creatures, large and small, who make their home in and near the sea. I loved the author’s use of lyrical language throughout and especially the unexpected rhymes like “sea/debris” and “presence/phosphorescence.” The soft color palette gives a soft, dreamy quality to the otherwise realistic illustrations. Extensive back matter provides more information about each animal’s traits and habitats and offers resources for those looking for ways to help protect the Earth’s oceans. A perfect gift for any animal or nature lover!

[Kimberly Tso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely, rhyming exploration of the variety of creatures who live in or near the sea. Fun facts are packed into each line, and there’s more backmatter in the book about each animal featured. The book includes familiar animals, but also some that may surprise you. It ends with a gentle reminder of how humans are also connected to the sea. It’s a great book for the animal-loving children in your life!

[Cleopatra Degher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book has rhymes that flow effortlessly and a ton of interesting facts about ocean animals. Both kids and adults will learn something they didn’t know and have a good time doing it! It’s wonderful that the book emphasizes the “jobs” that animals do to keep the ocean ecosystem running smoothly, reminding the reader of how important these animals are.

[Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of attending a read-aloud by the author today - super cute book, very informative and educational, with gorgeous illustrations. A must read for any young animal/ocean lover!