by Aliki

readability grade 2, read aloud kindergarten

In this wonderfully illustrated book, Aliki describes a young boy’s visit to an aquarium with his sister and brother. Although the aquarium described doesn’t exist, the contents are based on a number of aquariums throughout the U.S.. Reading this book aloud, or on your own, gives you a feeling that you are actually visiting an aquarium yourself, it is so realistic. This is an essential book to any classroom library, since it describes many environments; the deep sea, tropical coral reefs, the ocean bed, rocky reefs, kelp forests, tidal pools, tropical rain forests, fresh waters, semi-salted coastal streams, and the beach. Many of the animals that live in these environments are also named and make appearances in the illustrations. The possibilities for this book in the classroom are endless!