The Amazing Wonders of Sea Life: Four Picture Books to Teach & Amaze

Four Eco Marine Adventure Books 

Written by Sahara Coral & illustrated 

by Angela Simonovska & Quynh Rua 

In this post I feature four wonderful picture books that will delight young readers aged 3-8 years. These works are from the very accomplished author Sahara Coral. Sahara was born in Zambia and is the author of some amazing books about sea creatures.

These books don't just teach us about some of the wonders of the underwater world, they open our eyes to the need to protect them. 

Sahara was born in Zambia and is a rare storyteller who has a passion for nature and conservation. These four magnificent picture books take us on four different underwater journeys with these grand sea animals. We will travel with 'Orcas', 'Blue Whales', 'Dolphins' and 'Giant Sea Turtles'. Two of these picture books have been illustrated by Angela Simonovska and two by Quynh Rua. 

These amazing picture books will be winners with children aged 3-8. In fact older readers will also enjoy reading them too. 

a) 'Orcas: Guardians of the Deep' by  Sahara Coral

In this first picture book Sahara takes us on an underwater journey with Orcas, "The guardians of the deep." It has magnificent illustrations taking us deep into the oceans with them. The narrative addresses the vibrant nature of the ocean, and the incredible ecosystem where all things are dependent on another.

This story will immerse children in a different world, where few people can venture with these amazing creatures. The book is both story, but also a wealth of information about these creatures as we travel with them beneath the sea. 

b) 'The Blue Whale's Song' by Sahara Coral & illustrated by Quynh Rue

This book is aptly titled. It shares in word and illustrations the wonder of the ancient 'songs' of whales. These mammals share much with humans:

They are warm blooded

• Have lungs
• Deliver their young alive 
• Suckle their young like human mothers
• And they have hair!  

Blue Whales are creatures that live in fragile marine ecosystems which we must protect. We must do this so they and other marine creatures, can continue to flourish. We need to be champions for our oceans! As humans, we also need to save the oceans for ourselves as we seek to protect the balanced ecosystem in our world! This wonderful book follows the journey of a Blue Whale as it sings its ancient songs in the vast ocean.

Blue Whales frequent Australian shores in their annual North to South migration. We are blessed by some of the largest coral reefs in the world and clean waters around our large continent. But we need to keep working hard to protect these waters and the sea creatures that call them their permanent and also migratory homes. 

c) 'Dolphins of the Pacific Blue' by Sahara Coral & illustrated by Quynh Rue

This vibrant picture book is somewhat lyrical in its presentation of the incredible under water lives of Dolphins. The storytelling is poetic and befitting the Grandeur of these majestic creatures. The 'Leatherback Sea Turtle' is the largest of all living turtles and can measure up to almost 3 metres and weigh 500kg. These creatures are critically endangered.

This lovely picture book follows a graceful sea turtle as it glides through the vast oceans. The story is somewhat lyrical and has beautiful illustrations. Children will want to read it again and again. 

These beautiful creatures can swim at a maximum of 35 km   

d) 'The Journey of the Gentle Giant Turtle' by Sahara Coral & illustrated by Angela Simonovska  

Giant Turtles are amazing creatures. They are reptiles, and like all reptiles, they breath air. But they can't hold their breath for a long time underwater. Sadly, there are great threats to these beautiful creatures from drifting plastic that at times drifts in large volumes many Kilometres wide. Much of this is discarded from boats, urban drains and other sources. These majestic creatures that glide through ocean waters need protection and all of us can help. Do we:

• Recycle plastics properly at home?
• Try to avoid plastics for vessels, bottles etc?  
• Pick up such wastes when we see them?

As we say in Australia, "Don't be a Tosser"! Try to recycle. Of course, these creatures are just some of the amazing creatures that live in our oceans. As someone who has swum with Whale Sharks I can testify to the wonder of these through our reefs and along shorelines, and how hard it is to keep up with them for very long, as they move close to the surface extracting food from our waters. While we need to keep safe from the many sharks that inhabit coastlines surviving one sea food in our waters. Our fear must be tempered. 

Above: Me doing my best to stay close enough to a harmless Whale Shark one of the marvels of the sea 

Above: A recent large visitor to Pacific shores

And of course, some massive sea creatures are no risk to our safety at all if we keep our distance and admire rather than annoy.. 

Three Great Novels for Readers Aged 10-12 Years

 1. 'The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest' by Audrey Hartman

Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. In this forest it's always fall (or Autumn as we say in Australia). Trees are not 'quite' dead, even if they might appear so. They are very much still alive. And this is the case for Clare who was struck by a car. He is hovering between life and death. What's more, he was given the choice to either cross into the afterlife or to become an "Usher of wandering souls". He chooses a life of "guiding souls to their final resting place". 

You don't have to read far in this book, before you realize that this is a 'different' story. A badger 'soul' named Gingersnipes knocks on his door. Despite Clare’s efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger as it seems unable to leave Deadwood. 

This is a disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance between the living. How can this be? If this is allowed, what does it mean for life and death as we know it? Clare sets out on a treacherous journey to find Hesterfowl—the visionary grouse who recently foretold turmoil for Deadwood. But upon their arrival, Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation that leaves Clare devastated, outraged he is determined to do anything possible to change his fate.

Reviewers comments on the book include:

”Heartbreaking, marvelously funny, and generously redemptive.” Kirkus, starred review

”…a riveting and morally complex tale populated by flawed, fully realized characters navigating realistic emotions.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

”To tuck such a deeply felt tale of self-discovery and love in such a delightfully raucous adventure is quite the feat." BCCB, starred review

“Told in beautiful prose and with rich imagery, this is a deep story about death, loss, and grief, but also about compassion, finding meaning, and discovering what one really is made of in the face of the strongest adversity.” School Library Journal.

It is a different and quirky story that is suitable for readers aged 10 -12 years.

2. 'Bold Ben Hall: What does it mean to be a hero' by Sophie Masson

This is a compelling historical fiction adventure, set during the Australian gold rush when daring, dangerous and bold bushrangers were both feared, and legendary. Award-winning author, Sophie Masson asks what makes a hero, or a villain? 

Sophie Masson offers us an interesting story that tries to get behind the myths of Ben Hall and set it a setting distant in time just 90 years after the English landed and began to settle. Australia today. The story is set in Canowindra in October 1863. This small inland township was one of many that Hall and his gang would visit to relax, seek shelter and enjoy a break from their bushranger activities. 

Lily and her parents are travelling performers and are delayed in Canowindra. This occurs just as the infamous bush ranger Ben Hall and his gang have pulled off the biggest gold robbery ever. The gang hold everyone in town hostage. But instead of threats and hostility to the locals, they hold a strange, giant three day party, and Lily is in enthralled. She writes a secret play 'Bold Ben Hall' and dreams of sending it to a famous theatre company in Sydney or Melbourne… 

Meanwhile, in Forbes, stable boy Sam is working for Sir Frederick Pottinger, Ben Hall’s nemesis. Sam has always dreamt of helping Sir Fred to catch Ben Hall.

When Lily and Sam meet, the two are soon at loggerheads about their heroes determined to prove the other wrong...and to try any means to do so!

This great adventure story is set against a background of the hectic, action-packed atmosphere of the booming Gold Rush towns. It also asks important questions: what is a hero, what is a villain? And how do we separate fact from fiction? 

Suitable for readers aged 10-12 

3. 'The Extraordinary Misdaventures of Lake and Birdy and their Remarkable Fortitude' by Damien Leith

"A darkly comic debut novel for fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, Matilda and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children."

The title of this book alone, should signal it is a 'different' story. 

Sisters 'Lake' and 'Birdy' are the new arrivals at the apt (and long) named "Charitable Home for Poor Unfortunates Touched by Tragic Circumstances". Sounds bad? What till you read the story. These two sisters have not been gifted with something special. Then again, what might they make of this chance? 

It will take courage when they meet  Miss MacGregor. As the back cover blurb suggests this is:

A darkly comic, fantastic and fantastical tale from Damien Leith, with only a few embellishments, the very odd exaggeration, and much to enjoy.

As the back cover blurb suggests, this is a different book. Two sisters arrive at a "Home for Poor Unfortunates"! It is filled with those who have experienced misadventure and tragedy of varied kinds. And to add to their unfortunate lives they now have to face each day the appalling and frightening Miss NacGregor!~ 

Will Lake and Birdy survive this the latest, and perhaps greatest  misfortune of all, Miss MacGregor?

A darkly comic, fantastic and fantastical tale from Damien Leith, with only a few embellishments, the very odd exaggeration, and much to enjoy.

Readers aged 10-12