Marine Life Books

The editorial reviews explain rather well what a CAP Marine was and what they did during the Vietnam war. It's the oral histories taken down by the author that add a face on those heroes that came home alive to tell about those that didn't. You've read before the horror of war, but when you read these guy's stories, you'll wonder how any of them came home alive. Nothing is sugar coated. Nothing is politically correct. It all hangs out just like it went down some 40 years ago.

This book is not just another war story. It really is about a war that was different. It cut hard and cut deep when one of the stories was about someone I knew that didn't come home alive. So if you're a vet and think you've been there, seen it, and done it all, read this one.

"Out There, Somewhere" is an adventure in perspective; a perspective humankind does not often take. From the minds of aquatic animals, John Morano swims his readers through the foreign world that surrounds and dominates the islands we call Earth. Though the oceans occupy more than 2/3rds of our planet, our outlook is primarily land centric. Morano cleverly floods the foundations of our point of view, with a new way of thinking.

Humans are seen as part of the world, but not as the whole of it; despite what we might want to believe. Detailing the plight of the captive marine life in an aquarium called SeaTopia, "Out There, Somewhere" is a story filled with much more than the blank eyed stares and circular swimming we've grown accustomed to watching on our weekend visits. When natural tendencies are curbed by the confines of captivity, predators and prey adapt their relationships and create rules that allow for peaceful coexistence. But the forced water-share breeds behaviors that are alarmingly familiar to us. Morano's world offers a reflection of our own as it details the oppression of those in power, the fear of those in want of it, and the peace of those with faith. A story filled with speculative philosophy and a "fishtian" spirituality, "Out There, Somewhere" is thought provoking and inspirational to readers of all ages and species.

The "man-tide" is witnessed from the waters of our world and found guilty of a negligent disregard for the balance of nature. The rescue efforts we so often celebrate are shown through the eyes of those who only need to be rescued because of humankind's misdeeds. Morano exposes the ignorance and naiveté of humans while revealing the possibility of a culture and theology we have overlooked in the waters around us. Several schools of thought are explored as Morano reveals the viewpoints of an inquisitive stargazer, a defiant octopus, a brave little shrimp, an authoritarian remora, an accepting manatee, a heroic wild dolphin and his confined pod, a spiritual angelfish, and an ancient and powerful coelacanth.

While humankind carries the blame for its crimes against nature, its compassion is also displayed through the actions of devoted caretakers at the aquarium. Each of them battles with their desire to free and their need to confine the sea creatures under their protection. As ambassadors from the sea, the marine animals held at SeaTopia are representatives of their kind. They can be seen as missionaries, living in a foreign world so that they may enlighten those who visit with the worth of their existence. As diplomats from the wetter 2/3rds of our planet, their captivity in some misguided way actually inspires humans to know and appreciate them.

The considered rights and wrongs of the story come to judgment in an exciting climax. Is it Mother Nature that sets things right, or the fishtian god Seaqoyit that brings the ocean to the shoreline aquarium? Does that wall of water destroy or does it inspire a vision for the rightness of how things should be? As a story filled with friendships in faith, despondency with hope, and cruelty that stirs compassion, "Out There, Somewhere" washes the reader with an experience made human through its sea life. From SeaTopia, where no one starves, except for variety, and no one hungers except for the freedom of the seas, John Morano shrinks our world into the microcosm of an aquarium and invites us to come have a look at ourselves.

Now in a newly updated, revised and expanded fourth edition, Daniel Gotshall's Pacific Coast Inshore Fishes continues to be the premier guide in its field. This fourth edition is enhanced with forty-four new species along with a great many new photographs. Included are family descriptions which previous editions did not have. Each species descriptions include up-to-date information on sizes and geographic ranges. Pacific Coast Inshore Fishes is an essential and highly recommended reference for ichthyologists, aquarium staff, and anyone with an interest in the varieties and life cycles of fish dwelling in Pacific coastal oceanic habitats.

Like the other Rick Harbo books on marine life, this one is filled with beautiful and informative photos of the organisms. I recommend this book highly.

Entertainingly written and deftly illustrated in full color by Bruce L. Meyer, Paige's Book Of Fishes And Whales: A Combat-Fishing Book is an original and informative collection of fun facts about the wonderful world of saltwater and freshwater fishes and whales. Showcasing fish commonly found in rivers and streams, as well as fish and whales in the oceans and seas, Paige's Book Of Fishes And Whales captivates its young readers ages 2 through 9 with amazing information about these sensational creatures, their lives, habitats, and appearances. A handy booklet that can easily serve as a child's visual identification guide, Paige's Book Of Fishes And Whales is very highly recommended as a showcase for children with an interest in ecology and habitat of fish.

We absolutley love these books!! We received them as a gift and we are all intruiged by them. The photos are incredible! My three year old now loves the sea and it's creatures. My seven year old is starting to read them on her own. I have learned so much just reading to my kids. A must buy for any child on your holiday shopping list!! I plan to buy the set for my daughters elementary school library. Enjoy!!

This is one of my 6 year old son's favorite books. He loved this so much (when he was 4) that we gradually added almost all of Suzanne Tate's books in this series to his book collection. For a while there, these were the only books he would want read to him at bedtime.

The simple story lines, friendly drawings/art and real-life-based subjects made a great addition to his early understanding of Science.

This engaging, infectious tall tale is lots of fun. It's a rollicking story about a girl who sets out to be the world's best fisherman and catch a whale. Undeterred by the fact that it's a mammal, she hooks one with her fishing rod, and ends up taken for a ride. She makes herself at home in the whale's belly, keeps warm in the Arctic by singing sea shanties, and eventually steers the whale home. The tale's outrageous tone never falters and Peg is so brash and insistent that she's believable, despite the outlandishness of her story.

Every one of the zoobooks is a great book. It has a lot of information about one specific animal. In this case it is penguins.

There are drawings, science activities you can attempt, and pictures. The drawings are usually of some detailed part of the animal for example it might be the bird's beak and it is used to illustrate a key concept about what makes a penguin unique. The science activities are also used to illustrate a point, in this case you can learn first hand how penguins stay warm in the cold waters.

These are educational and clearly written. They have appeal to a wide range of ages due to the ages it is written towards. It will interest parents and young children.

Enjoy.

As with "Whales" Gail Gibbons continues to distinguish herself as one of the premier authors of non-fiction books for the young. Graceful illustrations of every kind of penguin plus interesting and new facts for even the most seasoned adult viewers of the Discovery Channel. Large print, along with thoughtful pronunciation guides, makes it easy for younger readers. An absolute joy to read!