Excerpt:
These marine-themed children’s books have lessons to share without sacrificing story.
One of the biggest mistakes novice children’s book writers make is to assume that a story must teach something. An overt message—share, don’t be a bully, eat your veggies—can make for a boring book. There can, of course, be a lot to learn in children’s books, but it takes a deft hand to avoid being didactic. Several of this season’s marine-themed books tackle big subjects—death, extinction, fear, even a lost toy (a monumental disaster for some). But in the hands of these skilled writers and illustrators, any takeaway messages are secondary to a good story well told. First and foremost, these creators offer rich language, characters and places to care about, and beguiling adventures. Along the way, they help us learn something, too.
Dive, Dive into the Night Sea
Text and illustrations by Thea Lu
32 pp. Candlewick Studio
Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
Text by Lynn Brunelle
Illustrations by Jason Chin
48 pp. Neal Porter Books
It Bears Repeating
Text by Tanya Tagaq
Illustrations by Cee Pootoogook
24 pp. Tundra Books
Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua‘i ‘Ō‘Ō
Text and illustrations by Tony Piedra and Mackenzie Joy
40 pp. Candlewick Press
Have You Ever Heard a Whale Exhale?
Text by Caroline Woodward
Illustrations by Claire Victoria Watson
32 pp. Pownal Street Press
Sea Snooze
Text by Sarabeth Holden
Illustrations by Emma Pedersen
32 pp. Inhabit Media
Super Ocean Weekend: The Ultimate Underwater Adventure
Text and illustrations by Gaëlle Alméras
172 pp. Greystone Books
My Bunny Lies Over the Ocean
Text by Bill Richardson
Illustrations by Bill Pechet
36 pp. Running the Goat Books
