(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bob Shea. A parrotfish explains the species’ special superpower(s) to an impatient hammerhead shark, including how it is able to consume coral with its "throat teeth.” That digested coral then becomes sand—or, in a reveal that will delight readers, “My poop grows beaches.” The stylized, cartoon-style illustrations and humorous text make the book especially accessible; the final page includes additional parrotfish facts.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Fiona Fogg. The menacing protagonist, Anglerfish, lurks in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, luring prey with her distinctive lantern-like appendage, then finishing them off with her mouthful of sharp teeth. Alexander explains how anglerfish themselves begin life as prey: eggs develop near the surface, small and exposed, and the baby fish dodge hazards such as birds, human fishing nets, and sea creatures. Those that survive grow large enough to descend to the ocean floor. Fogg's exceptional digital illustrations capture the contrasts; a cute, young, goggle-eyed fry, floating in the lighter blue shallow seas surrounded by her egg jelly, becomes the dangerous seadevil darting across inky pages, sweeping that harsh light back and forth as if the reader could be her next meal. If this isn't fearsome enough, just wait until Alexander describes the fish's mating sequence, which does not end well for the male of the species. Appended are a glossary, an index, and a "More About Anglerfish" section that provides additional information on ocean zones, various fish adaptations in low-light environments, hunting behaviors, and other species.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Gordy Wright. Forster describes shark and shark-like species in a tour through geologic time, from almost four hundred million years ago to the present day, highlighting ancient and modern creatures. The book mainly focuses on species with notable features: odd appendages such as a flattop dorsal fin, bony spikes, or a hammer-shaped head; the ability to survive in fresh water; and extremes in size. The shark profiles are accompanied by information about environmental conditions on land and water, contemporaneous marine species, fossil remains, and thoughtful explanations of the mass extinctions and extremes in climate that marked the end of each geologic period. Throughout the timeline are "Toolbox" asides, which creatively ­signal the behaviors, anatomical features, and adaptations that contributed to a group's survival. Wright's illustrations of sharks swimming through their watery habitats provide lots of details to observe; the creatures' rounded, cartoonlike eyes imbue them with personality.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Claire Powell. This playful and informational survey is simultaneously enlightening and enthralling. A simple rhyme pattern persists throughout the book, starting off with some basic fish facts: "Fish have fins and gills and tails. / All fish swim and most have scales." From this point on, however, the odd-factor is dialed way up to highlight unusual fish behavior from around the globe, including (but not limited to) snot-producing parrotfish, dancing sticklebacks, and shrinking anglerfish. While brief, Shumaker's rhyming stanzas read fluidly and at times even address the reader: "One fish squeezes out some slime. / Did you know that some fish climb?" The humorous illustrations approach caricature but never cross that line thanks to Powell's attention to accurate form, color, and behavior. Pleasing layouts reflect a scrapbook aesthetic, featuring an array of paper types (notebook pages, gridlines) and typefaces. A variety of informational captions accompanies each featured fish and adds to the informal tone of the book; for example, a (somewhat subjective) freaky/funky rating is listed for each fish. Back matter includes extensive information about all of the unusual behaviors, further reading, recommended links, and selected sources.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(3) K-3 Just Ask! series. This well-organized question-and-answer book leads readers through a selection of facts, including descriptions of sharks and related species, their food sources, and how they care for their young. The questions range from standard, such as a focus on shark teeth, to creative connections to science concepts ("Do sharks fly?"). Lots of up-close shark photographs are set against colorful backgrounds. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Amazing Animals series. Vivid photographs providing up-close views of the daily lives and habits of rays are the highlight of this slim volume. Minimal text touches on habitat, appearance, food, and offspring, and supplies a folk-story answer to a question about the creature: "Why do rays' fins look like wings? People in India told a story about this..." Also available in Spanish. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Amazing Migrators series. Four short chapters briefly introduce the salmon's characteristics, habitat, and reproduction, then cover the basics of its annual migration: distance, starting point and destination, timing in the year and in the salmon's life cycle, reasons salmon must migrate, and threats humans pose to their migration patterns. Large, clear photographs help illustrate the choppy text. "Fun Facts" and "More Amazing Migrators" sections are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Science Comics series. This continuing series gives the graphic-novel treatment to an exploration of one of nature's top predators. The text is heavily loaded with shark facts and yet doesn't feel ponderous. Detailed illustrations rely on shades of blue and green to emphasize the aquatic nature of the topic. The comic-book layout is easy to read, breaking the text up into manageable chunks. Glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Stewart's updated text advocates strongly for fish conservation. Each double-page spread features a particular species (e.g., northern pike), along with a threat to its environment (power plants) and a vague solution ("find other ways to make electricity"). Bond's clear, vivid acrylic illustrations contribute to a handsome presentation. A few general fish facts are appended. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) YA Sharks are more than ocean-dwelling dangers, argues Young in this fact- and photo-filled introduction. Textbook-like chapters provide discussion of shark anatomy, migration, reproduction, feeding habits, and cultural misconceptions while also delving into the scientific work involved in studying and protecting sharks, giving budding ichthyologists a glimpse of possible career directions. Includes a guide to the eight orders of shark species. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Erica Wetter

(3) K-3 Seedlings: Ocean Life series. In spare, direct sentences, these series entries offer basic facts about marine fish, touching on their habitats, physical appearances, family relationships, diets, and behaviors. Large type, clear organization, and eye-catching color photos are geared to new nonfiction readers. A concluding spread features an anatomically labeled photo of the respective fish and a couple of close-ups of specific features. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Seedlings: Ocean Life titles: Stingrays and Clownfish.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 4-6 How Nature Works series. Photographs by Jeffrey L. Rotman. This well-organized picture book explores the diversity of the world's oceans by concentrating on the busy, crowded tropical zones ("the city") and the temperate zones that have a slower rhythm of life ("the country"). Close-up underwater photographs of fish and sea creatures are captivating and sometimes haunting. This second edition includes updated material on the effects of climate change. Reading list. Glos.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Living Wild series. Eye-catching close-up photographs enliven this informative text. Seahorses' appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, threats to survival, and representations in culture are all addressed in great detail, while sidebars provide additional information. Although lengthy chapters and the absence of a table of contents make quick reference difficult, thorough indexing helps mitigate this drawback. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Animal Migration series. Following a brief overview of salmon species, this short survey examines their reasons for migrating and observes their behavior before, during, and after the journey. Engaging photographs, which span across the gutter of the wide-horizontal-trim book, elevate the introductory text. An appended page shows a map of selected migration routes. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 National Geographic Kids Chapters series. With Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Fish expert Hogan presents three freshwater fish–centered stories from his world travels. Each section is broken into three chapters with age-appropriate vocabulary and plenty of excitement. As expected with National Geographic, this book offers clear, vibrant photographs and interesting scientific information; "Did You Know?" sidebars include additional facts. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 In the Deep Blue Sea series. After tips to adult caregivers on encouraging new readers, each choppy easy-reader text provides a simple overview of a disparate fish species--clownfish, sea horses, and sharks--describing the animal's physical appearance, diet, life cycle, and threats to survival. Close-up underwater photographs elevate the fairly skimpy content; "Did You Know?" sidebars provide additional cursory facts throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these In the Deep Blue Sea titles: Clownfish, Sea Horses, and Sharks.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 In the Deep Blue Sea series. After tips to adult caregivers on encouraging new readers, each choppy easy-reader text provides a simple overview of a disparate fish species--clownfish, sea horses, and sharks--describing the animal's physical appearance, diet, life cycle, and threats to survival. Close-up underwater photographs elevate the fairly skimpy content; "Did You Know?" sidebars provide additional cursory facts throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these In the Deep Blue Sea titles: Clownfish, Sea Horses, and Sharks.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 In the Deep Blue Sea series. After tips to adult caregivers on encouraging new readers, each choppy easy-reader text provides a simple overview of a disparate fish species--clownfish, sea horses, and sharks--describing the animal's physical appearance, diet, life cycle, and threats to survival. Close-up underwater photographs elevate the fairly skimpy content; "Did You Know?" sidebars provide additional cursory facts throughout. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these In the Deep Blue Sea titles: Clownfish, Sea Horses, and Sharks.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Elementary-level texts introduce freshwater fish predators of the Amazon, exploring each creature's habitat, diets, adaptations for survival, and life cycles. Abundant labeled photographs, additional facts, and discussion questions throughout promote further engagement with the material. Squeamish readers may balk at photos of half-eaten prey. A "Science Lab" activity is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest titles: Arapaima, Bull Shark, and Electric Eel.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Elementary-level texts introduce freshwater fish predators of the Amazon, exploring each creature's habitat, diets, adaptations for survival, and life cycles. Abundant labeled photographs, additional facts, and discussion questions throughout promote further engagement with the material. Squeamish readers may balk at photos of half-eaten prey. A "Science Lab" activity is appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Apex Predators of the Amazon Rain Forest titles: Arapaima, Bull Shark, and Electric Eel.

Reviewer: Russell Perry