Vast and full of secrets, the ocean has been a constant place of human exploration. Even though it covers almost three quarters of the Earth’s surface, some people never get the chance to see it. Let these books bring the ocean and its inhabitants to you. From colorful fish to underwater plants, there is something for everyone in the ocean. SSHEL has over six hundred books about the ocean, so we have selected a few to begin your undersea adventure. When searching for general books about the ocean, try searching the subject phrases “juvenile literature” or “juvenile fiction” with subject phrases like “ocean,” “sea,” “marine biology,” or “sea stories.”
Picture Books
Neubecker, Robert.
Wow! Ocean! 2011.
When Izzy and her sister Jo travel from the mountains to the ocean they find a wealth of things to be excited about.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. N391wow]
Rockhill, Dennis.
Ocean Whisper / Susurro del Oceano. 2005.
A boy’s fish bowl and a whale poster transform into an undersea dream in which he becomes a whale, playing in the ocean and encountering various plants and animals. Story told in English and Spanish.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. R591s]
Zoehfeld, Kathleen Weidner.
Dolphin’s First Day: the Story of a Bottlenose Dolphin. 1994.
Describes a baby dolphin’s experiences during his first day in the ocean.
[SSHEL S Collection Q.SE. Z72D]
Freymann, Saxton.
One Lonely Seahorse. 2000.
One lonely sea horse learns that she has a lot of friends in this counting book — friends she can really “count” on.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. F898o]
Malnor, Carol.
On Kiki’s Reef. 2014.
A green sea turtle hatches and grows up in the ocean, then moves to shallower water near a coral reef where she spends most of the rest of her life. Includes supplementary information about turtles, coral reef creatures, maps, and activities.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. SE. M297o]
Beginner and Intermediate Nonfiction
Smithyman, Kathryn.
The Ocean Biome. 2003.
Examines the four zones of the marine biome, their plants and animals, coral reefs and estuaries, the importance of the oceans to the Earth, and how they are in danger.
[SSHEL S Collection S.577.7 Sm69o]
Mayer, Cassie.
Ocean. 2008.
In Ocean, children view various objects in an ocean and are asked to determine if they are living or nonliving. Stunning photographs show animals, plant life, and other features that are unique to an ocean habitat.
[SSHEL S Collection S.577.7 M4522o]
Hughes, Catherine D.
First Big Book of the Ocean. 2013.
Introduces several of the ocean’s species, provides profiles of creatures, from dolphins and sharks to sea otters and penguins, while sharing facts about their characteristics, diets, and habitats.
[SSHEL S Collection S.551.46 H8741f]
Mitton, Tony.
Ocean Odyssey. 2010.
The North Pacific Ocean is vast and dark and deep. It’s home to many creatures that swim and float and creep! Join Rabbit, Mouse, and Bird as they dive beneath the waves of the North Pacific Ocean and meet a host of amazing animals along the way
[SSHEL S Collection S.591.77 M698o]
Smith, Marie.
W Is for Waves: an Ocean Alphabet. 2008.
An A to Z introduction to our world’s oceans and ocean life. Topics include Atlantis, kelp forests, the Great Barrier Reef, mollusks, Queen Isabella, and many more.
[SSHEL S Collection Q. S.551.46 Sm622w]
Teens and Young Adult
Ocean, Davy.
Lights! Camera! Hammerhead! 2014.
When humans show up at Shark Point to film an underwater documentary, Harry Hammer is thrilled. He’s sure he’s meant for the spotlight, but will he end up with the starring role of his dreams, or stay in deep-sea oblivion?
[SSHEL S Collection S. Oc22l]
Kane, Tracy.
Ocean Secrets. 2014.
Exploring the Isles of Shoals, Kate and Luke discover the magic along these rocky shores, including what looks like an underwater fairy castle in a tidal pool. Also, out at sea, pirates, ghosts, and a feisty seal are just the beginning of a secret new world of adventure awaiting them.
[SSHEL S Collection S. K1316o]
Holyoke, Polly.
The Neptune Project. 2013.
A group of kids who have been genetically altered to survive in the ocean must embark on a dangerous underwater journey to find refuge — and maybe even a way to save the world.
[SSHEL S Collection S. H748n]