The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea

Gr 2-5--Handsome, softly realistic illustrations depict an assortment of ocean dwellers, each accompanied by a brief paragraph full of interesting factoids as each creature proclaims itself "the most amazing creature in the sea." A wide variety of oceanic life unfolds in the images, which brim with details, from the blue blood of the vampire squid to the natural antifreeze of the wolffish and the gelatinous slime of the hagfish. Other creatures depicted in these hauntingly vivid visuals include a toothy anglerfish, a massive leatherback turtle, and a leafy sea dragon. The final spread is devoted to the lesser fry that keep the oceans--and other fish--clean: the filterers, the alga-eaters, the reef-building corals, and the wrasse. An author's note on the importance of preserving these species is accompanied by a brief bibliography. Pair this with Erich Hoyt's more difficult Weird Sea Creatures (Firefly, 2013) and Sylvia Earle's Sea Critters (National Geographic, 2000). VERDICT An eye-catching jumping-off point for further investigation.--Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In their fourth collaboration, Guiberson and Spirin echo the format of 2013's The Greatest Dinosaur Ever as a dozen aquatic creatures take turns claiming to be the "most amazing creature in the sea!" Each animal describes itself vividly and evocatively: "Predators don't stand a chance against my powers of evasion," boasts a vampire squid. Spirin's always lush illustrations go beyond naturalistic detail to give the subjects a dignity and majesty: a trio of 5,000-pound ocean sunfish, the "heaviest bony fish in the world," have the glow of Renaissance putti, while a mimic octopus's copper-and-cream tentacles unfurl languidly across an inky blue seascape. Readers will enjoy debating who deserves the coveted title--perhaps the utterly alien hagfish or the blue whale, which "takes in 17,000 gallons of food-filled water in a single mouthful"? An awe-inspiring look at ocean biodiversity that revels in the significance of every animal. Ages 4-8. (June)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"Readers will enjoy debating who deserves the coveted title . . . . An awe-inspiring look at ocean biodiversity that revels in the significance of every animal." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Handsome, softly realistic illustrations depict an assortment of ocean dwellers, each accompanied by a brief paragraph full of interesting factoids as each creature proclaims itself the most amazing creature in the sea. . . . An eye-catching jumping-off point for further investigation." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Who is the most amazing creature in the sea? . . . Inviting their readers to choose the answer themselves, this skillful author-illustrator pair again encourages their senses of wonder at the natural world." —Kirkus Reviews

"With short paragraphs that read aloud very effectively and richly colored, intricately detailed paintings that look their best from a little distance, this picture book is well designed for sharing with groups of children. A natural for classroom science units." —Booklist

"The Greatest Dinosaur Ever" —By Brenda Z. Guiberson and Gennady Spirin

"Guiberson presents arguments as to why each of 12 dinosaurs should be considered the greatest—tallest, longest, fastest, smartest, best-armored, etc. . . Dino lovers will learn how their favorites stack up." —Kirkus Reviews