Composing of 71% of the Earth's surface, the ocean is a continuous body of water, though divided into several oceans and seas. The largest ocean, the Pacific, covers 30% of the Earth's surface and hosts the deepest point on earth. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest structure built by living organisms on Earth. 90% of all volcanic activity occurs in the ocean. The swordfish and marlin are the fastest fish in the ocean, reaching speeds over 50 MPH.
There are so many incredible and strange facts about the ocean and its many inhabitants for curious young scientists to discover. These facts are the focus of this new feature, which highlights recent books about the ocean.
One main role the ocean plays in our environment is to soak up excess heat from the atmosphere. Which means, as the planet warms the ocean absorbs much of that extra energy and impacts, among other things, all the marine life living in the ocean. Of the 1.5 million known species on Earth, around 250,000 live in the ocean. Biodiversity of Coral Reefs by Greg Pyers and World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky are two books for the classroom or library that highlight the importance of protecting our oceans.
To combat the August heat try discovering something new about the ocean. For other fun ideas check out our previous feature on the beach:http://www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/th_beach.html and search the CLCD database for more information on this important, and cool, topic.
Far from Shore: Chronicles of an Open Ocean Voyage
Sophie Webb
The Pacific Ocean is very different from the Atlantic. It is bigger and has large rolling waves creating a different type of motion. It also teems with life—fish, mammals and birds which are the focus of this travelogue. The author is a field biologist who specializes in birds and she takes readers along on an expedition into the Tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). During the next 4 months the scientists will rack animals, create a census of what they see and collect samples of water and sea life to better understand the counts the record. Is sea life increasing or decreasing and are factors such as overfishing and pollution arming any of the species? The trip is clearly no picnic, although the scientists and crew try to have one every Sunday. It is long hours of work in a close environment. Our narrator uses her spare time to paint what she has seen or learned as it is not always possible to really see what is taking place underwater. It is amusing to see how she compensates for the ship movement in her improvised watercolor work area. Her specialty is birds and even when the boat reaches port to refuel and take on supplies, she is off bird watching. We have a compressed account where moments of great excitement occur, such as when a pod of porpoises or whales are spotted and long with days when nothing much happens. Webb is candid about the work of a field scientist—lots of long hours with little to break the monotony, but her dedication and enthusiasm never waiver. As evidenced by her multiple excursions on this and other research vessels. Webb’s drawings enliven this personal journal and the details give readers a good depiction of what various sea animals look like—porpoises with light underbellies and dark tops, stripes and even spots. The boobies hanging on to the mast and not giving an inch to their fellow birds is comical. The ocean and our concern for it is brought to life in this educational and enjoyable book. 2011, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ages 10 up, $17.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-618-59729-1
ISBN: 978-0-618-59729-1
Contributor: Emily Griffin, CLCD
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