SeaWeek: 8 Books About Marine Environment

SeaWeek 2021

When: 6 March – 14 March

SeaWeek is an Australian national public awareness campaign that gives the community information, awareness, encouragement, and an appreciation of the sea. It’s a fantastic opportunity to promote educational issues of relevance to the marine environment.

In 2021 the SeaWeek theme is the sixth Ocean Literacy principle: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected. In keeping with this theme, we’ve rounded up 8 kids fiction and non-fiction books that align with SeaWeek’s above campaign message.

The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales by SJ King

Dive into the world of The Secret Explorers and learn about ocean life in this action-packed first installment in a brand-new fiction series.

In The Lost Whales, marine life expert Connor needs to use his underwater expertise to help save a pod of humpback whales that have lost their way. Along with space expert Roshni, he sets out in a submarine to search for a way to steer the whales back on track, but encounters unexpected problems along the way, including lost baby whales and a fleet of boats. Will The Secret Explorers manage to succeed in their mission?

Readers aged 6+

Ocean Animals: The Weirdest, Smartest and Sneakiest Sea Creatures by Blake Chapman and Astred Hicks

Whether you’re a fan of fish, a connoisseur of crustaceans, mad about molluscs or just love jellyfish, Ocean Animals has got you covered. This book focuses on the features and skills that make these creates extra-incredible! Full of fun facts, ‘sea-lebrity’ species profiles and amazing pictures, you’ll also learn about issues threatening marine life and tips on how to protect our amazing ocean environments.

Readers aged 9+

World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky

This non-fiction/graphic novel hybrid is an entertaining and important insight into the destruction of the world’s most precious resource: its oceans. Mark Kurlansky is the acclaimed author of books like Cod and The Big Oyster and his 2011 book. This book not only explains the problems but tells them what they can do about them.

Readers aged 10+

The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer

Alongside everything a young oceanographer needs to know, Zommer’s charming illustrations bring to life some of the slipperiest, scaliest, strangest, and most monstrous underwater animals. This book also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life.

Readers aged 6+

Ultimate Oceanpedia: The Most Complete Ocean Reference Ever by Christina Wilsdon

Travel through all part of the ocean to learn how it affects our world, including storms and climate.  Amazing facts, photos, illustrations, and diagrams are found throughout this book, along with conservation tips, weird-but-true facts, and a mini ocean atlas. Challenges to the health of our ocean and its creatures are also presented along with what people are doing to keep it pristine for generations to come.

Readers aged 6+

Why Should I Save Water? by Jen Green

Children learn that clean water is one of our most precious natural resources. In this book, kids are told about dozens of ways they and their families can avoid wasting water. Books present brief entertaining stories that answer children’s questions and feature amusing colour illustrations on every page. At the back of the book, there’s also a note for parents and teachers, suggesting ways to use the book effectively.

Readers aged 4+

DK Eyewitness Books: Ocean by Miranda Macquility

Dive in and discover the watery world covering most of our earth and the incredible wildlife in its depths. Through images, maps and informative text, learn about life on the shore to the darkest depth of the ocean floor – including predators and prey, gas and oil exploration, what the human race can do to help preserve one of the earth’s most valuable resources, and much more.

Readers aged 8+

Hold On! Saving the Spotted Handfish by Gina Newton and Rachel Tribout

This is the story of a quirky and primitive little fish that is famous for two things: walking on its ‘hands’ (pectoral fins), and being the first marine fish anywhere in the word to be listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Spotted Handfish has survived since the time of the dinosaurs — until now. Invasive sea stars, pollution and climate change mean that this unique Australian is in real trouble — raise your hand if you want to know more!

Readers aged 6+