Ocean Counting

by Janet Lawler

Learn to count with these beautiful National Geographic photos. Each number grouping includes a “Did You Know” fact to help you learn about that was just counted. “From 1 – 10 and all over again get ready for a wonder Ocean Counting adventure.” Contains a glossary, additional animal facts pages at the back of the book, information about the photographer, a map of where the animals were photographed, and an area for you to obtain more information about this subject.

Genres: Counting, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals, Mathematics, Childrens, Storytime

Paperback

First published May 14, 2013

About the author

Janet Lawler is the author of many books for children and is particularly inspired by the natural world. Her inspiration for this book came after listening to a YouTube recording of ten hours’ worth of walrus sounds, after which she wanted to learn more about these interesting creatures and share that knowledge with young readers. She had great fun creating words that reflect the weird noises walruses make! Janet Lawler lives with her family in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Jim Erekson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great story here is that my son Alma is all over this book. He doesn't gravitate to every animal book I bring around, but this one he grabbed right onto with a couple of others and took it up to his room and arranged it in a little display on the floor. He creates a kind of 'desktop' display where he can sit down and have several books and/or toys right in front of him like a little panel. Then he moves back and forth between the books and specific pages in the books to arrange a visual experience for himself. Part of this is very repetitive and probably meets the needs of his autistic thinking, but another part of it seems to be exploratory play.

For this book, he wants someone to read it with him as well, and he especially likes to go from page to page and hear us count. He also is very into the counting infographic at the back (which is very well done), where each of the animals in its quantity sits inside a graphic stripe next to the numeral (i.e., number "3" followed by three pictures of the parrotfish). He wants to point to each line in the infographic and have me read the numeral for him and say the name of the animal. He's both curious about animals, and curious about the interaction around this kind of book--very fun!

This is a good genre-busting book. Usually this would be called a 'concept book' because it focuses on numbers and counting (or with other books it would be the alphabet, a specific feeling, a category of objects). But the National Geographic style provides Lawler with an excuse for both an informational visual experience and a text that goes into basic descriptive characteristics of the animal. She also adds a 'did you know' text box with one additional fact. So it's right there on the border with informational text, using some of the conventions we expect from more involved books.

Lawler was able to collaborate with a specific photographer instead of the stock photos we might expect--she thanks National Geographic for this on her home page. I doubt the photos were shot for this book specifically, but rather that Brian Skerry used a library of his existing work to match up with Lawler's idea for the project. Lawler most likely had to collaborate with him in advance so she would know what the photos were of, and could write the right text. It will be interesting to see if I can find out!

[Ashlyn Ewert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I thought that this was such a cute book with all the animals. This book not only counts to 10 with the animals included but it also gives facts about each animal. My favorite page was the sea 8 sea otters. The photograph was very cute. I think that this would be a good book for children because it not only teaches them how to count but it also gives them fun facts. The last few pages also include a lot of information. One page gives more facts about the animals. There is also a note from the photographer included and a map that shows where each photo was taken. I thought the page identifying where the photographs were taken was very interesting.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

August 2017 - great pictures plus counting makes this a nice preschool-level introduction to a handful of ocean animals. Short enough to work as a read-aloud, and a good mix of familiar and unusual animals.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ask students to read you the Ocean Counting story for they can tell you all about the illustrations of who is in this story or where it all begins! Students in our classroom circle numbers on each page that shows where the number is and show they're fluent in colors, also!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This informative book is more than just learning to count to ten using sea animals. Detailed facts are provided for each sea creature and marine life, along with a map to help locate where each animal was photographed.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book for a preschool lesson on Counting and ocean animals

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toddler, preschool, and school-age

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maclear, K., & Maurey, K. (2015). The specific ocean. Toronto: Kids Can Press.

Rationale
The Specific Ocean would be a wonderful way to introduce students to the ocean. The story captures the heart of discovering something new: at first, the young protagonist is unhappy to go to the beach, but then she discovers the wonders of the ocean. Though she mispronounces the Pacific Ocean as the Specific Ocean, by the end of the vacation she imagines what types of creatures might be below the surface. This would perfectly tie into the nonfiction text Ocean Counting by Janet Lawler. Ocean Counting details the creatures that are found in the ocean, counting from one sea turtle to ten Bermuda sea chub.

Text Structures and Text Features
Ocean Counting has some common text features including pictures, maps, special fonts, pictures, captions, and a glossary. The features that stand out are the pictures and captions; throughout the text, there are many real-life photos of the sea animals, and captions that give more information about those creatures. The text structure in place is an established sequence. The text moves through numbers of sea animals, counting one to ten and having the corresponding amount of sea animals.

Strategy application
I believe a Venn Diagram would be a great strategy for students to make connections between texts. Instead of focusing on characters, I would focus on different sea animals that are mentioned in each text. Since The Specific Ocean focuses on the Pacific Ocean, and Ocean Counting covers all oceans, I think it would be a good way for students to understand the different environments even in different oceans. After completing the Venn Diagram, I would have students take a look at the map at the back of Ocean Counting, which identifies which ocean certain sea animals would be found.

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am continually happy with the new books that National Geographic is putting out. Mostly because the photographs are amazing. Seriously, who wouldn’t want National Geographic quality photographs in a children’s picture book to get them interested in the world? In this particular book readers are invited to learn about counting via some amazing ocean animals. Each page has the appropriate number of sea animals (from one green sea turtle to ten Bermuda sea chub). Each page has the number large and prominent with the animal listed. Then there is more information about the animal and a bonus “did you know” fact box. At the end of the book there are also two pages where readers can see all the animals listed (with the appropriate number of sea creatures following the number and name so kids can “count” them again) both from “one to ten” and from “ten to one”. And there are some bonus facts. Basically this is a book with amazing photographs and some fun facts. The only problem is that kids just might pay more attention to the pictures than to actually counting the animals. But I suspect they will eventually remember to count them…so all is well in the world.

[Holly Scudero · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a couple of really neat things about National Geographic's books for kids. They are educational, which is something that is important to many parents. They are interesting, which is important to the children reading them. And they are full of gorgeous photographs, the kind National Geographic is famous for. “Ocean Counting” is no exception. Kids practice counting from one to ten with a variety of fascinating ocean creatures, from sea turtles to star-eye-parrotfish to Bermuda sea chub. Some of the animals are ones kids will likely have heard of and seen before, even if only in pictures, although that doesn't detract from how beautiful the pictures in this book are; the shot of hammerhead sharks is particularly breathtaking. Other animals will likely be new to young readers, who will be further delighted by the factoids that accompany the photos. The very end of the book contains additional facts and even a map showing where each of the animals resides (and where the picture was taken). “Ocean Counting” can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

This review originally written for Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who wouldn't want to learn to count to 10 under the ocean? Vibrant colours, amazing underwater photography, simple, informative language explains the wonder and beauty of submerged sea creatures, all the while teaching your child to count. Each page has an added, "Did you know?" box that gives fun facts that you probably didn't know about the animals featured on that page. The large colourful numbers are enhanced by breathe-taking varieties of the sea, some of which include reef squids, star-eyed parrotfish, sea otters and hammerhead sharks, just to name a few. The back of the book includes a counting re-cap both forwards and backwards, and for the budding zoologist detailed fact sheets and map locations where you can discover where these animals reside. The last page includes a glossy of terms and even more books and websites that your little researcher can delve into. The book is high quality and exquisite in every aspect.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with information! It uses counting the numbers 1-10 to introduce readers to ocean animals.

Each page has fun facts and great full-color photos. After the story, readers count from 1-10 and 10-1 using a chart with the appropriate number of animals per line.

Following that is a series of fast facts about the animals featured in the book that lists home, size, food, predator, and baby info for each creature.

Then, a note from the photographer challenges readers to study the map provided that charts where all of the photos were taken around the globe.

Last, but not least, there is a glossary and a booklist and list of websites for further exploration of the topics in this book.

This is a great title in line with Common Core Standards and my new favorite counting book to recommend! PreK-2.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with luminous photographs of sea life, this counting book encourages young readers to count the number of creatures visible in each double-page spread, but it also provides engaging descriptive text and interesting facts about the one green sea turtle, the two harp seals, and the nine hammerhead sharks in a "Did You Know?" section at the bottom of the page. What is more, once readers have reached the number ten, there is page containing all the animals next to the number. Readers can count from 1 to 10 on one page and 10 to 1 on another. Back matter also includes brief animal facts about all ten species and a map from which even more counting activities can ensue. This is a marvelous blending of math and science.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

National Geographic has created another great way for kids to learn about what animals live and thrive in the ocean. Not only will little readers learn about different sea creatures but they will also learn to count. Colorful photos of turtles, seals and other various types of fish and even sharks can be found on the pages along with fun facts that will inspire readers to share what they've seen and learned. The back of the book shows a more accurate count of the sea creatures just in case you missed a few. The glossary has a list of resources and terms for better understanding. Readers will also learn more about Brian Skerry, the wonderful photographer who took these amazing pictures. Parents, teachers and kids will want to add this excellent tool to their library.

[Cemeread · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be used for many levels. It's illustrated with great full page photographs. Young children can use the highlighted color to count and identify the animal. Those who are reading on their own may be able to read the text. Older children will enjoy the Did you Know boxes with a fact to impress others with later. There are counting pages with the number and animals lined up to count to 10 and back to 1 again, animal facts pages with the predators of the animals and what they eat listed, babies, size and home, a world map showing where each picture was taken, a note from the author, plus a small glossary.

This link has the review for the counting book of the series with more information. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Doren Damico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 1-10 counting book has really smart design that lends itself to rereading and ongoing learning that can be enjoyed by a range of ages! It is rich with photos of animals in their ocean habitats. Lawler uses a variety of sentence structures, some rhyming, engaging and open-ended questions, and “Did You Know?” facts about each animal. There are numerous counting opportunities throughout the book. Some of my favorite elements include: The interactive map showing where the photos were taken, the glossary list, and the links for more information. See enhancement resources and links, as well as reviews of 9 other National Geographic Kids books at: http://www.dorendamico.com/10-awesome...

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You may look at this and think that it is just a counting book. But you would be wrong. Yes, it is a counting book but it is so much more. If you love ocean animals, then you will also learn about some interesting animals as you count to ten. Did you know that parrotfish cover themselves with gooey mucus before they go to sleep? The photographs in the book will let you see these interesting creature in detail.

[Dawn Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written as a counting book for young readers, I would also consider using this book with older readers. How? Invite them to look at the beautiful photographs to infer and ask questions about animal life. Do the simple facts match the photos?

[KirA · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been written in a more interested way! The photos were good, but nothing amazing (like the national geographic magazine's standards).

I found my kids listening, but sort of dozing off and not really enjoying the photos (except one).

[Ama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that can be enjoyed by a variety of ages: Simple counting for the younger readers and short paragraphs and extra information tell older readers about each animal.

[Marguarite Markley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs, simple images to count, and quick fun facts.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because of the beautiful pictures and it is different from other counting books we have read. This includes facts about the animals you count along the way!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice photographs.