Hidden World: Ocean

by Libby Walden, Libby Walden

Young children can lift the large flaps to learn more about the many different kinds of creatures and plants that live beneath the waves. Readers come face-to-face with dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and other creatures that live just below the surface. A trip to the ocean floor allows for an up-close look at anemones, the coral reef, lobsters, anglerfish, and other deep-sea dwellers.

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

18 pages, Hardcover

Published March 6, 2018

Reviews

[Lagobond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and fairly sturdy marine animal book filled with lift-the-flap surprises. It really feels like exploring the underwater world.

I was disappointed to see the shark portrayed as a "fearsome" animal with scary rows of teeth. Sorry to find an educational book hawking the sad stereotype of sharks as horrible monsters.

Overall the book is fairly engaging, but some of the descriptions are overly simplistic, so that the text doesn't always convey what the authors are trying to teach. The illustrations are very well done. From a book production standpoint, I would have preferred a slight gap between the individual flaps on each page. It can be hard to lift up just one flap at a time, since they tend to stick together. I really love the concept of this book, but the execution feels a bit haphazard.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the end papers featuring several marine species all the way through this book, young readers will be mesmerized by the wonders of the ocean as glimpsed here. Each of the facing pages contains three flaps that can be lifted to reveal an interesting fact about the animal named and depicted on the front of the flap. The creatures have been collected in thoughtfully-chosen groups, including Giants, Colorful Creatures, Hide-and-Seek, the Ocean Floor, Deep Sea, and the Coral Reef. The illustrations are colorful and visually appealing, and the information provided is just a snippet, interesting enough to prompt curiosity and the desire to learn more. Although the book's intended audience is children, I also enjoyed it a great deal and spent considerable time browsing through its pages and lifting those flaps. This informational text puts the lie to anyone who thinks that all the ocean contains is water and plankton. Clearly, it is brimming with fascinating creatures--unless humans and global warming make it impossible for them to survive.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

These lift-the-flap board books are delightful compendia of the flora and fauna under the sea and in the forest. Three-part-flaps on every page prompt young readers to discover facts about sea creatures, forest dwellers and their habitats, with simple facts describing the illustration. The art portrays each element simply in warm bright colors. Familiar and exotic animals are shown, forming a sort of guide to a child's experience or a bucket list for things to find while exploring.

The board is not as thick as standard board books, so these may not hold up for public library use. Excellent as a gift.

[Allyson Goose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ocean creature facts organized by topics such as Giants, Colorful Creatures and Hide-and-Seek. Lovely matte paper. Flaps make it fun, though they aren’t as durable as I’d like. My ocean-obsessed preschooler loves it, especially the Deep Sea section, and my kindergartener is also a fan.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book, just was not what I was personally looking for in reviewing storytime books for preschool - 2nd graders. I think this book would be a good sit-down and learning book for children and their parents.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book in a neat format. It's kind of like a lift-the-flap book. The information on sea creatures is appropriate for the target audience.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy informative read:)
My boys loved it

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

not very durable

illustrations weren't the best

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun, interactive, and engaging! The lift the flap feature is set up very creatively. The illustrations and information are wonderfully presented.

[Pam]

Each page has 6 creatures in sections of: Giants, colorful creatures, hide and seek, the ocean floor, deep sea, and coral reef

The pictures are simple illustrations. The pictures aren't as good as other books I've used, but there is a wide variety of animals that kids would enjoy looking through and it's nice how they are categorized.