Sea Without a Shore: Book Giveaway
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sea Without a Shore
Written by Barb Rosenstock
Illustrated by Katherine Roy
Ages: 4+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton | ISBN: 9781324016076
Publisher’s Book Summary: A single piece of seaweed buoys a fascinating ecosystem in this nonfiction picture book from award-winning creators Barb Rosenstock and Katherine Roy.
From bryozoans and snails to shrimps, eels, swordfish, and whales, the Sargasso Sea provides a home to countless types of marine life, thanks to the prevalence of microalgae called sargassum. Following a single blade of this extraordinary seaweed as it grows and spreads, readers see what it provides for the sea’s organisms: a base for hydroids and tube worms to filter and feed, shelter for anemones and nudibranchs and their nutritious waste, hunting grounds for crabs and amphipods, and a source of nourishment and protection for the fish, birds, whales, and reptiles that feed on these smaller creatures.
Through a widening scope on this intricate interdependence, Barb Rosenstock celebrates one of our planet’s most diverse and important ecosystems and the unassuming seaweed that sustains it. Gorgeously illustrated with Katherine Roy’s rich, eye-catching artwork, Sea Without a Shore is as fluid and rhythmic as the currents that shape this tidal home.
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MY REVIEW
Dive into the fascinating world of the Sargasso Sea, a sea without a shore as the title tells us. The narrative begins with a description of the forces that create the sea: five currents, billions of gallons of water, "a blue desert." We see a group playing on the beach creating sandcastles and moats, bringing seaweed to decorate - and then a bit of that seaweed washes away and we follow its journey.
The text is lyrical while also completely factual, a difficult balance to reach. "It lives. Changing sunlight to sugars." "It tumbles. Surfing the waves." Slowly, just as the sargassum itself grows, so does our knowledge of this curious form of algae that floats on the ocean's surface with no roots to hold it down. The author takes us through the various layers of the complex ecology as it builds from tubeworms, to snails, to crabs, to swordfish. "They swim. And never stop - through cloudless calms and shocking storms."
Each turn of the page reveals more rich watercolor tones and a game of hide and seek as the members of the ecosystem look for shelter and food within the spreading seaweed. A few spreads took my breath away, especially the sea turtles gliding around and through the fronds, and a giant whale that stretches from one side of the book to the other.
The book circles back around to the children on the beach, before offering some additional details in the back matter. A map with the location of Bermuda and the Sargasso Sea marked, as well as the ocean currents labeled, is framed with thumbnail images of various creatures we have encountered in the text. There is an afterword by Sylvia Earle and a short paragraph about Dr. Earle's work. A lengthy note from the author describes the research process for the book and there are also photos of a piece of sargassum and the illustrator's hand holding a tiny frogfish. A list of sources is also provided.
If you know young readers who are fascinated by the ocean, or if you are a parent or teacher helping a budding scientist learn about ecosystems and interdependence - this book is a must!
ABOUT THE AUTHORBarb Rosenstock is the author of several children’s books, including The Noisy Paint Box, which received a Caldecott Honor. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR Katherine Roy is the creator of the Sibert Honor Book Neighborhood Sharks and, most recently, Making More. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 April Lynch Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Thursday, September 12, 2024 @pagesforpaige Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Friday, September 13, 2024 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight of Sea Without a Shore |
Monday, September 16, 2024 A Blue Box Full of Books Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Me Two Books Book Activity Paired with Sea Without a Shore |
Wednesday, September 18 2024 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Thursday, September 19, 2024 It’s Free At Last Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Friday, September 20, 2024 The Children’s Book Review Interview with Barb Rosenstock |
Monday, September 23, 2024 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 Mrs. Makes Reading Fun Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Get Outside And Read Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Thursday, September 26, 2024 My Reading Getaway Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Friday, September 27, 2024 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Monday, September 30, 2024 @stargirls.magical.tale Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 One More Exclamation Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Thursday, October 3, 2024 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Friday, October 4, 2024 Book Q&A’s with Deborah Kalb Interview with Barb Rosenstock |
Monday, October 7, 2024 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers Interview with Barb Rosenstock |
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 The Fairview Review Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk Book Review of Sea Without a Shore |
This post is sponsored by W.W Norton. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
