This 2013 Caldecott Winner follows a small fish as he swims away from the scene of his crime - the theft of a larger fish’s hat. Great for children from preschool through second grade. The story is wonderful for young children who are fascinated by fish and the artwork brings Swimmy’s world to life beautifully. This classic Caldecott Honor book follows a little fish named Swimmy who bands together with the other fish in his school to fight against the dangers of the open sea and the large fish that is bullying them. It also includes a list of suggested reading and a timeline of Cousteau’s life for those who want to learn more about him.

The book includes quotes directly from Cousteau, which helps to bring him to life even more. The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan YaccarinoĬombining retro illustrations with the fascinating life of Jacques Cousteau, this book is a good option for introducing students to Cousteau’s work and life on the ocean in general. This book is a nice addition to science lessons for kindergarten through second grade. Bang’s artwork is predictably wonderful and the description of the process by which underwater plant life keeps the rest of the sea alive is a great way of starting a conversation about food chains more generally. This book by the incomparable Molly Bang and MIT scientist and professor Penny Chisholm is a perfect introduction to the science of the sea and underwater food chains. Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm, illustrated by Molly Bang Here are some of the best options to foster this interest and to bring the creatures of the ocean to your storytimes: And, this ongoing popularity means that there are plenty of books available on this topic to encourage students to pursue their interest in oceanography and sea life generally. With water covering around 70% of the world’s surface and playing home to some of the most fascinating creatures on earth, it is not surprising that it is a perennially popular topic for young children.

Swimmy by leo lionni read aloud