Tales to Share about the Wonders of the Sea

 
     Even at their most tender age, our little ones have always seemed to have some kind of innate sense of the immensity of the ocean, and the creatures that call it home.  And, I defy anyone to tell me that there wasn't a point of time during their childhood which they too, weren't fascinated by the ocean's mysterious, fragile and yet, sometimes threatening inhabitants,that have long inspired the tales read during our youth.
     As a child, I consider myself extremely fortunate, as I grew up along the shores of the Long Island Sound. I spent many lovely summer hours playing in the cool, gentle waves, gathering mussel and razor clam shells, and building my own fairy castles in the sand.  And, even during cool fall days, when the beach goers were long gone, I could be found sitting on one of the huge rocks at one of my favorite beaches, with my journal, a good book, or with nothing at all, relishing the peaceful solitude as the winds blew white capped-laden waves against the sandy shoreline.

One of the many beaches from my hometown on the shores of Long Island Sound.

     Even today, I still marvel over the ocean's vastness, and have developed a lifelong appreciation for protecting its all-to-often endangered sea life.  And, while nothing truly compares with the unforgettable experience that you and your little ones will share during an actual visit to the ocean, where sun, sand, seashells and surf will both entice and enlighten, these tales below are a good place to help to start light the spark in your child's mind and imagination about the wonders of the sea.

Octopus's Garden

      I have long believed that Ringo Starr's pleasant voice was perfectly made for children's narration, ever since I first heard his voice as the narrator on numerous Thomas the Tank Engine episodes that my son adored to watch over and over again as a little boy.
       A story that was sparked well over 46 years ago, while sailing on a yacht owned by the Pink Panther himself (a.k.a. Peter Sellars)  in the Mediterranean Sea, Ringo heard a tale from the ship's captain about the many octopuses that travel across the bottom of the world's great seas, collecting objects and stones to use in their beautiful gardens deep below the sea. Inspired by the captains words, Ringo put pen to paper and "Octopus's Garden" was born!  The song was featured on The Beatles 1969 album, Abbey Road, and Starr's band mate, the late George Harrison,  summed up this lovely song (now published as a beautiful children's picture book) so eloquently when he remarked at the time that the words, "get very deep into your consciousness because it's so peaceful."  This is so very true once you've had a chance to read and enjoy this very unique and special story.
     Your little one (and you as well), will feel this sense of peaceful calm as Harrison stated, as you join along on a journey with a little boy and his friends to the depths of the ocean, where colorfully majestic coral and plant gardens created by smiling octopus's await.  The gardens protect the little boy and his friends from the storms above them, where they are kept safe as they cuddle up on an octopus's lap and listen to stories.  They even get to explore sunken treasures with octopuses, smiling starfish, happy little crabs and other fishes.  The accompanying CD features Ringo Starr reading the tale to children with the same pleasing, reassuring tone that has been all too familiar in our household, as well as a new recording of the song, as well as an instrumental version, which is perfect for you and your little ones to sing along with the story.  This is just simply, a lovely, delightful book, and I hope that Ringo Starr (as well as illustrator Ben Cort) will team up again soon!

Octopus's Garden
Written by Ringo Starr & Illustrated by Ben Cort
Publisher:  Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division (2014)
Website:  kids.SimonandSchuster.com
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-4814-0362-7
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.5
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

     

The ABC's of Oceans
     Utilizing some truly breathtaking photographs of marine plant and animal life from the four oceans to introduce children to the letters of the alphabet, your little ones will be quickly taken on an educational and exciting journey exploring the ocean and all who inhabit it.  Eager young readers will also learn through Kalman's informative text about how ocean animals are defined and classified into groups that include mollusks, mammals and plants, and they will learn to appreciate the spectacular, fascinating world found beneath the depths of the sea.

The ABC's of Oceans
Written by Bobbie Kalman
Publisher:  Crabtree Publishing Company (2007)
For ages 6 to 9
ISBN: 978-0778734123
Accelerated Reader Book Level:  3.9
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5
Retails for $8.00 (Paperback)

Clark the Shark Dares to Share
      The lovable, well meaning, yet misunderstood shark is back in this delightfully funny follow-up of the popular Clark the Shark stories written by Bruce Hale.  As our tale begins, Clark the Shark is still a student in Mrs. Inkydink's class, and he just loves his teacher and school.  But sometimes, Clark finds that he's having trouble learning the concept of sharing.  His natural exuberance gets the best of him, like the time when his classmate Benny the Blowfish played a lively song on his horn during "Time for Show and Share", and Clark couldn't help but to get up and dance the Funky Shark, interrupting Benny's performance.  When the kindly Mrs. Inkydink tells Clark that while, "sharing is caring"  everyone, including Shark, must remember to, "learn to wait their turn."  And, just when you think that Clark won't ever learn to understand, with the help of his classmates, Mrs. Inkydink, and most importantly, Clark's mommy, he begins to realize just what sharing truly means.  Filled with humor, and a heartwarming message, Clark the Shark Dares to Share is a fitting story to share with your little ones when you are trying to show them examples of the importance of sharing, and how it should come from your heart.


Clark the Shark Dares to Share
Written by Bruce Hale & Illustrated by Guy Francis
Publisher:  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-227905-7
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.7
Accelerated Reader Points: 0.5

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Great Illustrated Classics)

     The classic 1870 novel by Jules Verne is revisited in this updated, easy-to-read illustrated adaptation that will hold the interest of your growing chapter reader. Join along with the adventures of Professor Arronax and his sidekick, Conseil, as they sets off in search of a giant sea monster, only to encounter the mysterious Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus.  Will the Professor ever conquer his quest to find the sea monster, or will Captain Nemo's growing instability wreck on all who reside on the ship?  The adapted storyline will hold the attention of your children, and the illustrations provide a fascinating look into the world of early submarines (one must remember that when Verne originally wrote this classic, submarines were very primitive ships, at best) and ocean life.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Great Illustrated Classics)
Written by Jules Verne
Publisher:  Waldman Publishing Corporation (2008)
Retails for $6.74 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-1603400374

Shark Kiss, Octopus Hug

     A little shark named Charlie and his best friend, a octopus named Olivia, each longed for something. All Charlie has ever wanted was a hug, and all Olivia has ever wished for was a kiss from someone who cared for them.   They've search the sea high and low, and while they are safely tucked away from shore, they watch, with longing, at the families along the beach who are having a wonderful time.  They wistfully gaze at little girls kissing their grandmas, and the mommy's hugging their little boys, and they both decide that the time has come for them to try to make their fondest wish come true.  So, first, they try to sell their hugs and kisses, but, needless to say, there are no takers.  They  then put on a play, because, as Charlie says, "Actors always get hugs at the end of a show," but no hugs greeted Charlie at the end of his soliloquy.  And, when the lovable duo failed to get anyone to participate in their eating contest (featuring Charlie's algae souffle)  Charlie and Olivia watch with tears in their eyes as the beach goers run away from them with fright.  And, just when you think that Charlie and Olivia will never see their fondest wish come true, they soon realize that sometimes, what you are looking for may not always be so far away from your reach. Shark Kiss, Octopus Hug will leave your little ones hopeful that dreams can come true, most especially when the power of strong friendship guides them through.

Shark Kiss, Octopus Hug
Written by Lynn Rowe Reed & Illustrated by Kevin Cornell
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2014)
Website:  www.harpercollinschildrens.com
For ages 4 to 8
Retails for $14.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-220320-5