Marine Life Books

This book is chock full of incredible photographs of the wonders of Antarctica. Any Diver, Swimmer, Marine Biologist or lover of the oceans will enjoy this book, its incredible photographs and well written text will add to your understanding of the underwater world of Antarctica. When people think of the southern continent, they picture the stark white ice fields and distant mountains. This book will let you see and appreciate the amazing life that goes on under the ice along the coasts. A rich and diverse ecosystem that very few have ever pondered, much less seen. You will be in awe of the amazing array of animals seen in this book. Penguins, Jelly Fish, Whales, and all manner of critters...

This is undoubtedly the most spectacular book ever written about the natural history of Antarctica. Wu's photographs are spectacular, and the text is a brilliant mix of scientifically accurate descriptions laced with thoughtful prose. If you're just looking for a picture book about Antarctica, this book will satisfy your every need. If you want to *learn* something about Antarctica, you'll treasure this book!

My daughter just had a birthday last week, and so my brother sent her some books. One of them was "Under the Sea" and the other was "Under the Ground". They are both being enjoyed by my kids (5 and 3) and me! They aren't very long, but they are VERY CLEVER. Every two-page spread has information and drawings on one side, and then a plastic page on top of a black page on the other. You punch out a paper 'flashlight' that is located in the back of the book, slide it under the plastic and are then able to see/highlight what is hidden underneath. We've been looking at them daily and are happy to have them.

I was amazed at how my two and a half year old was totally taken by this book. The concept so simple but so very effective. The flashlight is a definate asset. The animal descriptions are short and concise and the pictures are just perfect.

This book is perfect for snorkellers and divers, both novice and advanced. It is also very interesting for non-divers as it gives a glimpse into the fantastic underwater world!

This book is a must have for those who are truly interested in the world beneath the sea. As a beginner I found the book very helpful in studying the smaller inhabitants of the coral reef.

This book is a wonderful family read. The history on Japan is very interesting. I learned a lot about WWII that I did not know. It left me with a deep feeling of gratitude for the men who are fighting and have fought to protect our freedom. It also made me reflect on what I am doing with my life that is worthwhile. Definately worth your time. Jenny Robbins

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE SPENT MOST OF MY MARINE CORPS WITH BOB BOARDMAN AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT HE WAS GREAT MARINE AND HIS STORY IS VERY WELL REASEARCHED AND ABSOLUTELY TRUE D I BAHDE

Beautiful, educational book. Great large photos. Nice large print, but not babyish.

This book on sharks is very cool. It almost has all you wanted to know on sharks. Norman Barrett did not make a mistake on writeing this book.

The book is wonderfully illustrated. The cover itself catches the potential reader. It is truly an enjoyable read with an innovative story. My child loves it.

As a mother of 5 children, I'm always on the look out for good children's books...I found that and more in the book entitled THE WHALE COMEDIAN by Martin Nelson Burton. The story of little Finston and how his dreams were realized, is done in a clever and funny way. The illustrations (by Charles Jordon) are some of the best I've seen in a children's book....very colorful with lots of expression and detail. There is nothing commerical about this book. A story of a little boy with a big dream and how it is realized. It can make your children believe that they can be anything they want in life...whether it be a store clerk, a scientist that gives people superpowers, or even a whale comedian.

Whale Port is a treat for anyone, young or old, interested in whaling and the role it played in American history. Through the fictional village of Tuckanucket, Mark and Gerald Foster take you on a wonderful, illustrated tour of the growing pains, and the triumphs and tragedies of a whaling town as it tries to maneuver through the powerful tides and currents of history, while remaining literally and figuratively afloat. The drawings are excellent, the story is dramatic and compelling, and the added background information at the bottom of each page makes the book that much richer. My eight year old son loves the book, and so do I. I highly recommend Whale Port to anyone who is fascinated by America's whaling heritage -- it is particularly appropriate for 8 to 14 year olds.

The son-father team of Mark and Gerald Foster have collaborated to produce an eye-pleasing book that not only offers a creative approach toward explaining the history of New England whaling over time, but is a crash course in all the terminology and processes related to the whaling industry, maritime trades that developed because of it, and other aspects of Colonial life.
I recommend this book for children AND adults who want to use it to prepare for, or supplement, a visit to any whaling point of interest, such as the New Bedford Whaling museum in Massachusetts, Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, a whale watch, or any other whale-related tourist spot worldwide.
This book also provides a starting point for those who want to learn to appreciate whales, understand how human action profoundly affects their survival on this planet, and gain historical knowledge from which to decide how to act today to protect these important and endangered mammals.
The exquisitely detailed, labeled illustrations by Gerald Foster are educational in and of themselves, but together with Mark's comprehensive historical instruction, this book becomes a gem. Well done!

This is a book about all different kinds of whales. My favorite whale was the Blue Whale, because it is the biggest animal that has ever lived. I liked this book because it is educational and it won't scare little kids. I think you should read this book because it will teach you a lot that you never knew!

- Kyra (2nd Grader @ Rosa Parks Elementary, Lexington KY)

This is a book about Blue Whales and other whales. I thought the whales were pretty jumping in the air. It is a fun book! I want you to read this book so you can learn about whales too.
- Jordan (1st grader @ Rosa Parks Elementary, Lexington KY)

For a long time I have been searching for guides to help identify whales and dolphins in different parts of the world, but until recently there was very little practically-oriented literature available. In the last few years, that has changed and several groundbreaking regional identification guides are now available: for example Whales and Dolphins of the European Atlantic (Ocean Guides) and Whales & Dolphins of the North American Pacific: Including Seals and Other Marine Mammals. So the non-specialist or casual observer is now in with a fighting chance of identifying those dolphins seen on a coastal hike or whales encountered on a ferry crossing.

At the same time, several references on global marine mammals have appeared, of which Shirihai and Jarrett's compact guide is the best of the bunch. Why? First of all, this guide is compact. At under 400 pages, it is small enough to fit into a coat pocket, yet there is enough information to enable the user to identify (potentially) any marine mammal. So this volume is a true field guide. The book covers sirenians (manatees and dugongs), seals, coastal otters and other marine mammals as well as the cetaceans. The text is concise and emphasises key identification features, but there is still room for notes on behaviour and ecology. There are plenty of plates, both photographic and illustrated - all of them of very high quality. It is clear that author and artist have ample field experience have been able, through this book, to put this squarely at the disposal of the user. Finally, the book is printed on high quality glossy paper, which makes it a pleasure to leaf through at home.

So next time I am off on a trip with a chance of encountering whales or dolphins, I will be packing this handy guide in a addition to whatever regional guides I can get my hands on. Meanwhile, I am enjoying some armchair whale-watching as I leaf through the pages back home.

Chris Sharpe, 16 September 2008. ISBN: 0691127573

There have been a plethora of field guides on marine mammals and most of them, including several recent ones, such as Carwardine's and the Welles', that are quite good. Shirihai and Jarrett's is in a class by itself. However, it is not really intended as a spotting guide for geographic locations. It illustrates and explains the different variations with all the species, has excellent and distinctive photgraphs, wonderful art work of all species and many variants, fine maps, tells of behavioral and diet diffences for various populations of the same species (and hints where there may be new species, or subspecies, to be found). It is the most comprehensive such guide on this, or almost any other, wildlife family and is at a bargain price, even if Amzn.com hasn't yet discounted it. Don't miss this book!

This is a lovely picture book that will soothe, calm, and enchant young children. It has simple, poetic language that builds rhythmically page after page and evokes the sounds of the seashore, while the lush artwork captures the sights of the ocean and beach with beautiful detail and some fun visual surprises.

This is a stunning tribute to the sea and the life in and around it. My 4-year-old and I have enjoyed reading it many times over, and I know we will continue to do so. Stephanie St. Pierre uses accessible,lyrical language to convey the mystery, power, and beauty of the ocean world. The artwork by Beverly Doyle is richly detailed and colored. All in all, this is a lovingly created book. I also appreciated the informative section in the back, which enhances a child's understanding of the subject matter and encourages conservation.