What do you think?
Rate this book
Nature Storybooks
See What a Seal Can Do (Read and Wonder
Follow a gray seal on a journey from sand to sea in an engaging, richly illustrated story with surefire kid appeal.
On the shore, a seal looks like a slow, dozy creature that spends its time lazing around or flumping along the sand. But underwater, it s a different story. Splash! Seal dives deep, with a body just the right shape to shoot through the water and power down with his back flippers. He slips through a seaweed forest, and sensing a predator nearby dives even deeper to stay safe. Finally it s time to make a sudden twist and turn to catch his fishy dinner. Merging a lyrical narrative sprinkled with fascinating facts and aww-inspiring illustrations, here is one nature adventure that s hard to resist.
Back matter includes an index."
On the shore, a seal looks like a slow, dozy creature that spends its time lazing around or flumping along the sand. But underwater, it s a different story. Splash! Seal dives deep, with a body just the right shape to shoot through the water and power down with his back flippers. He slips through a seaweed forest, and sensing a predator nearby dives even deeper to stay safe. Finally it s time to make a sudden twist and turn to catch his fishy dinner. Merging a lyrical narrative sprinkled with fascinating facts and aww-inspiring illustrations, here is one nature adventure that s hard to resist.
Back matter includes an index."
32 pages, Library Binding
First published August 6, 2013
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Chris Butterworth
80 books75 followersCHRIS BUTTERWORTH is the author of more than seventy nonfiction books for children on such diverse subjects as influenza, Antarctic exploration, and Ancient Egypt. "A sea horse looks as magical as a mermaid," she says, "but sea horses really exist. We need to know as much as we can about them, so we can protect them."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 5, 2023
Read for our homeschool science unit on polar animals. My kids' favorite part was the illustrations, as they kept commenting on how cute the seal was. The story is formatted with a good narrative feel, and additional facts in smaller text throughout. Sometimes this didn't flow well as a read-aloud, but overall a good pick.
August 14, 2014
Good introductory information and wonderfully detailed illustrations.
February 27, 2017
Brief description: See What a Seal Can do, written by Chris Butterworth and illustrated by Kate Nelms, follows a grey seal as it transforms from a seemingly lazy, graceless sunbather into a swift, nimble acrobat of the sea, diving deep, hunting for fish, and evading predators. Come away with surprising new facts and appreciation for these puppy-eyed creatures.
What I love about the book: I like how the story reveals two opposite aspects of grey seals – the lazy sunbather that is a somewhat common site for beachgoers, and the "super-swimming underwater wonder" that is surprising because we don'often have a chance to see it. The voice is fun and celebratory. I loved the definition of flump, "...a flop and a jump both together." The facts in small font contain wonderful tidbits such as seals breath out rather than in before they dive. Although the seal goes on a hunt and encounters a predator, the level of suspense is light and appropriate for children as young as preschool. I also love the green, blue and beach-beige palette, the light filtering down through the water, and the closeness of the seal in the illustrations. Gorgeous! A few of the illustrations have a sketch-like quality that might inspire some student drawings. Share it with nature-loving children, 4-8, today!
What I love about the book: I like how the story reveals two opposite aspects of grey seals – the lazy sunbather that is a somewhat common site for beachgoers, and the "super-swimming underwater wonder" that is surprising because we don'often have a chance to see it. The voice is fun and celebratory. I loved the definition of flump, "...a flop and a jump both together." The facts in small font contain wonderful tidbits such as seals breath out rather than in before they dive. Although the seal goes on a hunt and encounters a predator, the level of suspense is light and appropriate for children as young as preschool. I also love the green, blue and beach-beige palette, the light filtering down through the water, and the closeness of the seal in the illustrations. Gorgeous! A few of the illustrations have a sketch-like quality that might inspire some student drawings. Share it with nature-loving children, 4-8, today!
October 20, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it to every educational about the life of a seal. I was unaware that a seal can go one-hundred feet down in the ocean in only a few seconds! I also found it really interesting to learn that seals actually twist their bodies to help them catch their food. The author of this book did a great job writing this story to educate the reader more on a seals life. I also like how the author wrote small educational notes to tell the reader more about a seal. I could definitely see myself using See What a Seal Can Do in my elementary school classroom one day. Like the author, I feel like a lot of people tend to classify seals as a slow and lazy creature. I think this book would be a great resource to teach my students about the life of a seal and some characteristics about them as well.
July 16, 2018
How fun it is to learn about seals while reading this wonderfully illustrated picture book. My little one was in wonder with this book. Reads like a story, yet has a lot of information about a day in the life of a seal. Also has a shortened version for the younger littles.
July 22, 2018
Wonderful, full page painting and mixed media illustrations. I like the combination text. The main text has more playful, creative language with supporting text that is detailed and informative.
September 14, 2019
Interesting - a fair few facts I didn't know.
March 28, 2022
Easy to read and understand nonfiction book for kids. They liked it very much.
March 2, 2023
Beautiful, realistic art.
March 25, 2017
Great figurative language in this nonfiction book!
April 23, 2020
This book describes how seals on land are very dreary and do not do much. On the other hand, while in the water they dive and shoot through water. When danger is near they dive deep down to protect themselves.
I rated this book 4 stars. It is a great addition to a classroom and home life. As well, it is a great resource for learning about an animal. This is one of my favorite animals and I loved reading about it.
I rated this book 4 stars. It is a great addition to a classroom and home life. As well, it is a great resource for learning about an animal. This is one of my favorite animals and I loved reading about it.
September 29, 2013
Richie's Picks: SEE WHAT A SEAL CAN DO by Chris Butterworth and Kate Nelms, ill., Candlewick, August 2013, 32p., ISBN: 978-0-7636-6574-6
"The seals on the bus go
'errp, errp errp'
'errp, errp errp'
'errp, errp errp'
The seals on the bus go
'errp, errp errp'
All around the town"
-- from THE SEALS ON THE BUS by Lenny Hort and G. Brian Karas (2000)
"Splash!
"A big breath out and down he goes. His body's just the right shape to shoot through the water: sleek, smooth, and pointed at both ends. His back flippers power him one hundred feet down in seconds.
"Seal slips through the seaweed forest -- big eyes searching the gloom. His sharp ears hear dolphins whistle and a ferrryboat's engine chugging.
"Seal's not the only hungry one down here: bigger things than him are looking for their supper. His long whiskers are his feelers: they twitch as a silent swirl of water tells him there's a killer whale on the hunt for a plump seal meal. With a flick and a twist of his flippers, he dives deeper.
"Two hundred feet down, and it's colder, but Seal doesn't mind. He has two fur coats that keep him waterproof, and a thick layer of fat under his skin wraps around him like a blanket. Inside his blubber, Seal's as warm as you and me!
"Three hundred feet down now, and his heart gets slower...and slower...until it only beats four times a minute."
There is so much great information packed into the spare text of SEE WHAT A SEAL CAN DO -- both the narrative about the gray seal we follow here, and the accompanying fact blurbs (that are set in a smaller type).
I don't know whether it is that seals just look like dogs to me, or whether having, as a young man, often watched my mom's flat-coated retriever swimming around in the Bay and seen a real resemblance to seals, but I've always had an affinity for the big-eyed seals I encounter here basking along the California coast.
SEE WHAT A SEAL CAN DO begins and ends with beautiful endpapers that feature two-tone renderings of the eighteen different kinds of true seals. (A note opposite the title page provides a brief introduction and explains "true" seals.) The story's mixed media illustrations draw you down through the ocean deep, and the sweet face and expressive eyes of our main character really grab us.
"So if you're down by the sea one day, you might spot a seal, lying around like a fat sunbather. And you might think he's just a slow, dozy creature that spends his time lazing around...but you'd be wrong. Seal can dive like a rocket and twist like a dancer -- he's a super-swimming underwater wonder."
Errp! I really enjoyed this one.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
"The seals on the bus go
'errp, errp errp'
'errp, errp errp'
'errp, errp errp'
The seals on the bus go
'errp, errp errp'
All around the town"
-- from THE SEALS ON THE BUS by Lenny Hort and G. Brian Karas (2000)
"Splash!
"A big breath out and down he goes. His body's just the right shape to shoot through the water: sleek, smooth, and pointed at both ends. His back flippers power him one hundred feet down in seconds.
"Seal slips through the seaweed forest -- big eyes searching the gloom. His sharp ears hear dolphins whistle and a ferrryboat's engine chugging.
"Seal's not the only hungry one down here: bigger things than him are looking for their supper. His long whiskers are his feelers: they twitch as a silent swirl of water tells him there's a killer whale on the hunt for a plump seal meal. With a flick and a twist of his flippers, he dives deeper.
"Two hundred feet down, and it's colder, but Seal doesn't mind. He has two fur coats that keep him waterproof, and a thick layer of fat under his skin wraps around him like a blanket. Inside his blubber, Seal's as warm as you and me!
"Three hundred feet down now, and his heart gets slower...and slower...until it only beats four times a minute."
There is so much great information packed into the spare text of SEE WHAT A SEAL CAN DO -- both the narrative about the gray seal we follow here, and the accompanying fact blurbs (that are set in a smaller type).
I don't know whether it is that seals just look like dogs to me, or whether having, as a young man, often watched my mom's flat-coated retriever swimming around in the Bay and seen a real resemblance to seals, but I've always had an affinity for the big-eyed seals I encounter here basking along the California coast.
SEE WHAT A SEAL CAN DO begins and ends with beautiful endpapers that feature two-tone renderings of the eighteen different kinds of true seals. (A note opposite the title page provides a brief introduction and explains "true" seals.) The story's mixed media illustrations draw you down through the ocean deep, and the sweet face and expressive eyes of our main character really grab us.
"So if you're down by the sea one day, you might spot a seal, lying around like a fat sunbather. And you might think he's just a slow, dozy creature that spends his time lazing around...but you'd be wrong. Seal can dive like a rocket and twist like a dancer -- he's a super-swimming underwater wonder."
Errp! I really enjoyed this one.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
October 4, 2013
Let's face it - the seal on the cover of this book is simply irresistible, isn't it? Well, I couldn't resist it and I am glad that I couldn't. I learned a lot about seals in See What a Seal Can Do. First, in a note at the beginning of the book, I learned that the cute seals I used to watch swimming around at the Prospect Park Zoo weren't seals at all, they were sea lions. and now I know how to spot the difference. Next, I learned that there are 18 different kinds of seals, but this is a picture book about one kind of seal - the gray seal. I found out about these things even before I even began reading the book. So you can imagine what I learned by the time I finished the book.
In See What a Seal Can Do, Chris Butterworth follows one seal as it makes its way from the beach to the sea to get a little something to eat. As this adorable seal dives down into the sea, the reader gets of privileged look into his underwater life as it swims down as far as 300 feet, weaving its way through sea vegetation, looking for food.
As the gray seal swims, Butterworth describes, all in child-friendly language, just how the seal swims and survives in the ocean despite being a mammal. For example, did you know that a seal's fur coat keeps him waterproof while swimming, and that a seal can slow its heartbeat to 4 beats a minute to conserve oxygen. There is all kinds of information packed into this charming nonfiction picture book and is sure to delight any child interested in seal life.
Butterworth's interesting factual text about seal life is accompanied by wonderfully detailed mixed-media illustrations by Kate Nelms, a natural history artist. See What a Seal Can Do may be her first children's book, but with illustrations of the caliber found here, it certainly won't be her last. And be sure to look at the end papers in the front and back of the book. Remember Butterworth said there are 18 different kinds of seals? Well, they are all drawn there for you to see.
There was one thing that bothered me about this book. On most of the pages, there is more information about seals written in smaller, lighter type that can sometimes be hard to read against the dark background where it was placed. I have good eyesigh, but I had to hold the book under a light to see some of it. Perhaps a bolder, more contrasting color would have worked better.
Other than that, I think this is a wonderful book for budding naturalists and anyone else who can't resist a cute face.
This book is recommended for readers aged 4+
This book was borrowed from a friend
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
In See What a Seal Can Do, Chris Butterworth follows one seal as it makes its way from the beach to the sea to get a little something to eat. As this adorable seal dives down into the sea, the reader gets of privileged look into his underwater life as it swims down as far as 300 feet, weaving its way through sea vegetation, looking for food.
As the gray seal swims, Butterworth describes, all in child-friendly language, just how the seal swims and survives in the ocean despite being a mammal. For example, did you know that a seal's fur coat keeps him waterproof while swimming, and that a seal can slow its heartbeat to 4 beats a minute to conserve oxygen. There is all kinds of information packed into this charming nonfiction picture book and is sure to delight any child interested in seal life.
Butterworth's interesting factual text about seal life is accompanied by wonderfully detailed mixed-media illustrations by Kate Nelms, a natural history artist. See What a Seal Can Do may be her first children's book, but with illustrations of the caliber found here, it certainly won't be her last. And be sure to look at the end papers in the front and back of the book. Remember Butterworth said there are 18 different kinds of seals? Well, they are all drawn there for you to see.
There was one thing that bothered me about this book. On most of the pages, there is more information about seals written in smaller, lighter type that can sometimes be hard to read against the dark background where it was placed. I have good eyesigh, but I had to hold the book under a light to see some of it. Perhaps a bolder, more contrasting color would have worked better.
Other than that, I think this is a wonderful book for budding naturalists and anyone else who can't resist a cute face.
This book is recommended for readers aged 4+
This book was borrowed from a friend
This review was originally posted at Randomly Reading
November 15, 2013
This nonfiction picture book follows a gray seal through its day. The seal starts off on shore where it is flumping along the sand, seeming slow and sleepy. Then it enters the water and what seemed awkward on land makes it able to swim with incredible grace. As the seal swims, readers learn about their different anatomy, including their ears, whiskers, fins and blubber. At the bottom of the ocean, the seal eats fish and then eats more on its way up to the air again. Returning to the beach, the seal is ready for another nap.
Butterworth truly celebrates this animal in her book. She writes with a mix of prose and poetry, making sure that readers understand how fascinating seals are. Throughout, she uses metaphors to make sure that children relate to the animal. Blubber is compared to a warm blanket. The seaweed at the bottom is a forest. The seal swims like a rocket in the water.
There are many science picture books that use the format of larger text for the basic story and then smaller text for more details. Perhaps best about this book is that Butterworth uses both sections of the book to share scientific information, too often the science is left mostly to the smaller text and younger readers miss out on the fascinating facts.
The artwork by Nelms is simply exquisite. Just like the seal, the book really comes alive in its underwater scenes. Nelms manages to offer lots of small details to look at, but also to capture the wavering light and softness of water. There are illustrations throughout that have a beautiful depth to them, inviting us to hidden places under the water.
A beauty of a science book, this celebration of seals gets my enthusiastic seal of approval. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Butterworth truly celebrates this animal in her book. She writes with a mix of prose and poetry, making sure that readers understand how fascinating seals are. Throughout, she uses metaphors to make sure that children relate to the animal. Blubber is compared to a warm blanket. The seaweed at the bottom is a forest. The seal swims like a rocket in the water.
There are many science picture books that use the format of larger text for the basic story and then smaller text for more details. Perhaps best about this book is that Butterworth uses both sections of the book to share scientific information, too often the science is left mostly to the smaller text and younger readers miss out on the fascinating facts.
The artwork by Nelms is simply exquisite. Just like the seal, the book really comes alive in its underwater scenes. Nelms manages to offer lots of small details to look at, but also to capture the wavering light and softness of water. There are illustrations throughout that have a beautiful depth to them, inviting us to hidden places under the water.
A beauty of a science book, this celebration of seals gets my enthusiastic seal of approval. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
February 2, 2016
See What a Seal Can Do
Written By Chris Butterworth
Illustrated By Kate Nelms
See What a Seal Can Do has big beautiful water colored looking pictures throughout the book that really show how beautiful these creatures are. It tells a sweet and informative story about the life of a seal. On the top of the pages in the little corners are true facts about seals! I loved it because not only did I get to read to my daughter a cute story about the life of seals, I also got to teach her true facts about them as well. For instance, “the seals in this book are gray seals, sometimes called horsehead seals, because of their long noses” Author, Chris Butterworth. This is a great book! My daughter loved it! I loved it! I would definitely recommend this book to parents, teachers, family, and friends to read to the kids. Great book! Two thumbs way up!
Written By Chris Butterworth
Illustrated By Kate Nelms
See What a Seal Can Do has big beautiful water colored looking pictures throughout the book that really show how beautiful these creatures are. It tells a sweet and informative story about the life of a seal. On the top of the pages in the little corners are true facts about seals! I loved it because not only did I get to read to my daughter a cute story about the life of seals, I also got to teach her true facts about them as well. For instance, “the seals in this book are gray seals, sometimes called horsehead seals, because of their long noses” Author, Chris Butterworth. This is a great book! My daughter loved it! I loved it! I would definitely recommend this book to parents, teachers, family, and friends to read to the kids. Great book! Two thumbs way up!
January 16, 2014
This nonfiction picture book would be quite useful in a variety of ways. A child could simply read, learn, and enjoy the beautiful textured, realistic-looking mixed media illustrations and factual story. A child could use this book as a mentor text, an example of how to write his/her own picture book about an animal, after gathering research and writing a factual story.
Lastly, this book could be used to demonstrate the various levels of viewing a picture book. The book can be read simply by reading the large text in which the narrator speaks directly to the reader. End pages, author's note and smaller italicize type can be read for a more thorough understanding of the topic. An index and two websites are appended.
This book would be appropriate for children in grades K-5.
Lastly, this book could be used to demonstrate the various levels of viewing a picture book. The book can be read simply by reading the large text in which the narrator speaks directly to the reader. End pages, author's note and smaller italicize type can be read for a more thorough understanding of the topic. An index and two websites are appended.
This book would be appropriate for children in grades K-5.
October 3, 2013
Conversational tone right from the title and throughout invites readers to think about the gray seal and how it lives. Additional facts are almost hidden among the beautiful illustrations, and vary as to content. Some support the page text, some are extraneous. Text is almost poetical: swallows some sand eels; super-swimming underwater wonder, slips through the seaweed forest. Seal indentification on end papers done in sepia. Author's note at beginning would be a great mentor text to show why it's important to read the author's note.
Great example of how non-fiction writing can be delightfully descriptive!
Great example of how non-fiction writing can be delightfully descriptive!
September 10, 2016
The illustrations in this non-fiction book are so clear and detailed some feel like photographs. The curious seal on the cover draws the reader into a conversational narrative. The book starts with a seal on the beach heading for water and then spends time telling the reader about a seal under water (eating, breathing, moving, hearing), ending on the beach again. The large print text could be read to preschoolers. More information about seals can be found in smaller, italicized print in the pictures. End pages include labeled drawings of eighteen different types of seals. Be sure to read the author's note at the beginning to know a true seal from other seals.
October 12, 2013
If you don't LOVE seals before reading this book, you surely will after! The behavior od gray seals is revealed in stunning mixed media illustrations and text that reads like a well written storybook with sidebars of fact making it a really accessible nonfiction book for PreK-2.
This is a must have, must read in my book and definitely stnds out as one of the best kids books I've read this year!
This is a must have, must read in my book and definitely stnds out as one of the best kids books I've read this year!
February 18, 2015
Although seals appear lazy on land, underwater is another story. Follow a gray seal as it dives, hunts, and hides from predators. The lyrical nature of the main text carries the reader along with the seal. Additional texts appear throughout to give the reader more information on these often whimsical creatures. Starting with the irresistable cover, the wonderful illustrations depict the seal that is true to nature and will be loved by all. Reviewer 21
September 22, 2013
Who doesn't love seals? So graceful in the water and such beautiful eyes. This nonfiction book shares quality information album what seals do in the water and how they get around on land; they flump! A flump is a hood nd a jump together. The illustrations are colorful and stunning; they can rival any photograph. A great book to introduce research h skills to k-2 grade.
February 28, 2014
Age 2 to 2nd Grade. Perfect book for a young child who is interested in learning more about the word around him/her - especially animal/seal lovers. Short, tight text gives facts in an easy, light narrative voice. Great fact vs. fun balance. Illustrations will draw readers into the book. Lovely first NF type picture book.
August 11, 2013
This is a beautiful work of narrative nonfiction. One can never look at a gray seal in the same way after reading it. The illustrations capture the magical underwater world where the seal is most at home. Exceptional. Catch sight of the cover and you'll be hooked as well.
July 22, 2013
Lovely watercolor illustrations and excellent information about seals. The story is lively and interesting. The index at the back is particularly nice for using with young readers and would make an excellent book to use for instruction on how to use an index.
October 10, 2013
(K-3) Those beautiful eyes peering at you from the front cover are just begging you to pick up this book and "dive" right in. The illustrations are enchanting and tranquil. Great book to add to your collection!
January 9, 2014
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Though non-fiction, I think this title should have broad appeal as it reads like a story; the text isn't overwhelming and there is plenty of visual interest to keep kids hooked. I will be recommending this to kids who love reading about sea mammals.
August 22, 2014
Well-written nonfiction text about seals, including both narrative and then more informational style captions. Beautiful illustrations - the light under the water looks like actual sunshine streaming down below the surface. The seal's face is so expressive! Highly recommend.
April 13, 2016
My son Sammy loves seals, so we bought this book for him. It's amazing that seals can be underwater for 15 minutes and have their heart beats 4 times a minute to save oxygen. Seals are amazing creatures.
December 20, 2013
Beautiful illustrations and just the right amount of text make this a beautiful non-fiction book to share.
September 16, 2013
Great non-fiction read-aloud for story times! Chatty style. Lots in the pictures to start conversations.
Drawn pictures but not abstract.
Drawn pictures but not abstract.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews