The Seven Seas: Exploring the World Ocean - Hardcover

Vieira, Linda

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802788335 ISBN 13: 9780802788337

Publisher: Walker Childrens, 2003

Synopsis

The ocean is an endless wonder that has shaped the progress of civilization for all of human history. Thousands of years ago, the sea retreated and exposed more than 2 million acres of dry land, enabling early man to migrate from Asia and eventually settle North and South America. Centuries later, explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan braved the waters as they searched for shorter ocean routes to new worlds. When, in 1800, all surface areas of the ocean had been explored, scientists turned their gaze to the deepest recesses of the sea, discovering thousands of species of plants and animals there. The sea remains our planet's largest source of food, fuel, and energy, holding the very key to life for sea creatures and people alike.

About this title

About the Author

Linda Vieira made her debut into the world of children's books with Walker & Company's The Ever Living Tree . Her second book, Grand Canyon was named a Society of School Librarians International Honor Book. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her Labrador retriever, Hannah.

Higgins Bond earned her B.F.A. from the Memphis College of Art. She is the illustrator of several children's books, including When I Was Little and Do Whales Have Belly Buttons? She has also created commemorative stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. Higgins lives in Nashville, Tennessee. The Seven Seas is her first book with Walker & Company.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-Vieira presents a host of information about the ocean through 14 double-page chapters. Each spread opens with a heading that begins with the phrase "The Sea Is." The information is presented chronologically, starting with violent earthquakes that formed the surface of the Earth and an explanation of why "Together, the oceans, seas, and gulfs are called `the Seven Seas-.'" Along the way, the author presents explorers, pirates, researchers, and a wealth of other interesting material that children will find intriguing. The final two spreads tell how the sea is threatened by fertilizers, pesticides, and the widening hole in the ozone layer and concludes with an explanation of how essential the sea is to our life. Although the book does not have an index or table of contents, students will find it helpful for reports and will want to browse through it as well as read it from start to finish. Time lines at the top of each spread and a full-page glossary are useful additions. From the opening endpapers with the curve of a crashing wave to the same concluding pages, the realistic, acrylic illustrations, done mainly in vivid blues, envelop and transport readers to these waters. Fascinating and well presented, this book will capture the imagination as it informs. A perfect addition for all libraries looking for a quality resource about our fragile planet and its oceans.
Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0802788335
• ISBN 13: 9780802788337
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Bond Higgins