Oceanography Books for Kids to Read

Does your child love the ocean? Read these oceanography books for kids, with ocean themed stories and educational resources!

Please welcome my guest author today, Dr. Laura Gehl, with her list of oceanography books for kids. We are giving away 3 signed copies of Baby Oceanographer. To enter to win, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.

Baby Oceanographer by Dr. Laura Gehl, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Little ones can learn about what an oceanographer does in this charming board book series that plants the seed of the possibility of a career in STEM. [board book, ages 2 and up]

Oceanography Books for Kids

1. Shark Lady by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens

A lot of people thought sharks were ugly and scary…but not Eugenie Clark, who fell in love with sharks as a child and grew up to study them as a scientist. This book has it all: inspiration, perseverance, science, girl-power, and gorgeous illustrations—plus back matter with extra information. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

2. Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Éric Puybaret

Jacques Cousteau might be the most famous oceanographer ever. This book is a simple and beautiful look at his life and work. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

3. Flying Deep by Michelle Cusolito, illustrated by Nicole Wong

Many kids would jump at the chance to travel in a submersible to the bottom of the ocean. Flying Deep is the next best thing, bringing readers along on an exciting trip to the seafloor in deep-sea submersible Alvin. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

4. Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire Nivola

The detailed art in this book would be enough to recommend it, but young readers will also enjoy the story of Sylvia’s passion for exploring and protecting the ocean. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5. Under Water, Under Earth by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski

In large format, this book is a two-for-one deal, showing what is happening under the ocean (including underwater chimneys, the Mariana trench, and coral reefs) and then—when flipped—what is happening under the earth.

The book has quite a bit of text, which will work well for older readers. However, there is so much happening in the illustrations that younger readers may be drawn in as well. [nonfiction, ages 6 and up]

6. The Blobfish Book by Jessica Olien

This book is both funny and informative, a blend of fiction and nonfiction. The illustrations also blend photos with cartoony illustrations. My daughter read this one again and again. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

7. Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau and Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Meilo So

My son is a big fan of Deborah Hopkinson’s books, and teaming up with activist Philippe Cousteau and illustrator Meilo So, she produces another winner here.

This true story of community activism introduces readers to a problem faced by sea turtles and shows them that kids can truly make a difference in changing the world. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

8. Seashells: More Than a Home by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen

Seashells provide homes for animals, but they can do so much more! Brief larger-print text describes the many things seashells can do, with more detailed explanations given in smaller print.

For young kids, the larger-print text may be sufficient, while older kids will enjoy learning additional facts from the smaller-print text. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

9. The Manatee Scientists (Scientists in the Field series) by Peter Lurie

Manatees are so gentle and funny-looking that young readers will want to give them a hug. The photographs here are wonderful, and the text tells of scientists studying these fascinating creatures in captivity and in the wild. [nonfiction, ages 10 and up]

10. The Octopus Scientists (Scientists in the Field series) written by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Keith Ellenbogen

Octopuses are some of the most intriguing animals: they can change color, squirt ink, move through tiny openings, and more. This book teaches about the captivating octopuses and the equally captivating scientists who study them. [nonfiction, ages 10 and up]

3 Signed Baby Oceanographer Board Book GIVEAWAY!

To enter to win, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. I can only ship to U.S. and AFO addresses.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laura Gehl is the author of BABY OCEANOGRAPHER, the first book in the BABY SCIENTIST SERIES, as well as BABY ASTRONAUT, BABY BOTANIST, and BABY PALEONTOLOGIST (all illustrated by Daniel James Wiseman). A former science teacher and science writer, Laura is excited to introduce young readers to different scientific careers. She is also the author of numerous picture books, including ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR and the PEEP AND EGG series. Her next science-themed book will be ALWAYS LOOKING UP: NANCY GRACE ROMAN, ASTRONOMER, a picture book biography of the barrier-breaking “Mother of Hubble. To learn more, visit her website, Facebook and Twitter @AuthorLauraGehl.

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My books:

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

- - Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  - Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
  - Starred review from School Library Journal
  - Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  - 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  - Green Earth Book Award longlist
  - Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me