The Sea Knows

by Alice B. McGinty, Alan B. Havis, Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)

Dive in and explore the wonders of the ocean and its inhabitants in this lyrical, fact-filled ode to the sea! This beautifully illustrated picture book features extensive nonfiction backmatter for further exploration.

We are young. The sea is old. The sea has secrets to unfold. The sea knows.

In this playful, rhyming celebration of the marine world, readers can explore all of the wondrous things the sea knows. It knows huge whales and small krill; it knows short crabs and tall giant kelp; it knows brightly colored starfish in shallow pools; and in the inky depths it knows the alluring jewel of an anglerfish’s glowing lure.

Discover all of the strange and magnificent underwater creatures in this accessible tribute to the power and mystery of the ocean.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Animals, Nonfiction, Storytime

48 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2020

Reviews

[Maureen Caupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. A great, easy book full of ocean information, opposites and colors.

[Megan Sanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely love that the authors have a read-aloud of the book on youtube of them reading this book from their bathtub in swimming gear.

[Billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are lovely, but the rhyming text is not. Dear authors: Please stop thinking that all picture book text must rhyme. Unless you are very good at it (and most of you are not) it adversely affects the overall quality of your book.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and simply informative.

[Jennifer Miera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the simple, rhyming text and illustrations. Was troubled by the presence of piranhas in a book about the ocean, since they are a freshwater fish found mostly in South America. When I did research, I did find references to a recent discovery of some salt water piranhas living off the coast of Australia. Still, I find it an odd selection for a book about the ocean - surely there are more well-known fish species that could have fit the bill.

[Kristin Guay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an interesting concept in that it kind of creates a character out of the ocean and then tells the reader all the things that this character can experience. This approach makes this book a little different than other books about the ocean. The story begins by explaining that the ocean is very old and knows many things--some are buried deep within the ocean that we might not even know about. The ocean knows large with a whale and small with krill, smooth with shells and spiny with a blowfish, and the ocean knows different colors of red, gold, green, silver, white, and orange. The ocean also knows what hides and what seeks, what is strong and what is weak, and all kinds of other features of the creatures that make their homes in the ocean. The ocean also knows its relationship to humans with dangerous waves, strong winds, and terrible storms. This book really creates a unique way of looking at the ocean. The illustrations are colorful and detailed--combined with the rhyming text, this book will delight young readers.

This book is perfect for children between the ages of three and six years old. There is some additional information in the back of the book for children to gain at little more knowledge about sea life (some of this information is a little more detailed, so this would appeal to children closer to six years old).

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are fortunate to stand on the shore of a sea or of an ocean, the memory of being there for the first time will remain with you for the rest of your life. A range of emotions washes over you. You are amazed. You are humbled. You are intrigued. In your mind, this boundless body of water before you generates a multitude of questions. It has answers, some more easily found than others.

By careful observation certain discoveries are disclosed. If you seek other answers, The Sea Knows (A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, May 5, 2020) written by Alice B. McGinty and Alan B. Havis with illustrations by Stephanie Laberis is a marvelous introductory volume revealing many mysteries. It's like taking a tour beneath the blue-green expanse.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that will grow with your child. The beginning would be a great board book. The poetry and simple text tells how the Sea "knows" things (knows about the workings of itself). The ending breaks down the poem with more science information, yet never gets dry. It still is straightforward and easily accessible.

[Melanie H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non-fiction picture book about the ocean. Each page has a few short phrases, most beginning with "the sea knows...". Much of the story talks about opposites, but it is not consistent. Many ocean creatures are introduced and factual information is included in the back.

Recommended for storytime.

[Suzi Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for teaching opposites

[Kathleen Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to share this book with the kids in my family. Together we will explore the sea and learn something on every page. The story is lyrical, satisfying, and gorgeously illustrated.

[Paul Graham Terpstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about what we’ll find in the sea.
The sea knows more than we do.
We must protect it and it’s beauty

[Kristen Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations. This book is a top family favorite!

[Bryan Loar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple rhymes demonstrate aspects of the sea in an innovative way. Back matter provides greater depth from the initial spreads.

[Lourdes Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The flow in this book is flawless. It had beautiful illustrations and lots of information about the sea. Entertaining AND educational!

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beautiful sea knows a lot about life, it brims with it.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring the wonders of the ocean through an evocative, lyrical text incorporating interesting, accessible information and alluring, dynamic illustrations.

[ChiChi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Especially all of the information in the back of the book!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, rhyming book perfect for storytime about the many contrasting wonders held within the ocean.

Themes: Comparisons/Opposites, Ocean
Age range: Toddler-Preschool

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The students liked it.

[Carly Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous pictures!

[Susan Dunn]

Lovely illustrations. This is a rhyming book, which I sometimes don't like, but these rhymes all pretty much work. Lots to learn and lots to see and discuss on each page. This would work for storytime or one on one. More detailed info at the end is nice too.