The Sea: Picture Book Month Day 16

Picture Book Month Day 16 theme: Sea

Find out more about Picture Book Month here

Download the daily themed Picture Book Month Calendar. 

Become a Picture Book Ambassador or Blogger  

Take a PEEK inside Down, Down, Down

“More humans have walked on the moon than have visited the deepest spot in the sea.” pg.1
This beautifully detailed picture book begins with a view from outer space looking down on our blue planet home and allowing us to imagine ourselves as part of a deep sea diving team traveling down through the deepest depths of an ocean world. Readers are introduced to three zones of the western Pacific Ocean and the life that lives within them. With every page turn, the background colors deepen to darker colors just as light struggles to reach the deeper depths of each zone. The deeper the depths, the more beautifully terrifying creatures lurk within a world hidden from human eyes. (ms. Murphy)

Visit the creator of Down, Down, Down -Steve Jenkins

author & Illustrator Steve Jenkins biography

WATCH ME! 
Creatures from the Deep-watch videos of the amazing creatures from the deep.
Click on the links shown below.

Watch us! Ocean Fairies- A close up view of the beautiful, delicate and fairy-like zoo-plankton that lives in the ocean.
(a 2.50 minute video)

Zooplankton that live in the depths of the ocean. 
















Watch me! Mola Mola video-the world's largest bony fish (1:11 minute video) 






Trivia questions:
When measured in feet, what is the depth of the “Challenger Deep”?

What is the constant temperature of the “Challenger Deep”?

What is mola mola?
a.) An ocean sunfish
b.) A diet of jellyfish and plankton
c.) A seabird
d.) Mushy plant life

What are the names of the three zones?

What is the Abyssal Plain made up of?


Literature connections-activities, books, kid friendly web sites:

Ocean animals printables
Origami sea creatures activities
Origami Angel Fish
Quick and easy project: Weave a Fish

Check out this page: The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau

Texas Bluebonnet Award book activities

Texas Bluebonnet Award book activities, book trailers and lesson plans
quick link to Kids Book Club. People are always asking "What is that website you use to teach about the Bluebonnet books?" I know the url is too long, but we don't mind because it says what it is-a kids book club.

Speaking of new Bluebonnet books-view this beautifully crafted book trailer for The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau authored and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. I will introduce this book to students by showing this book trailer and tie it in with a "book pair" lesson on biographies. The second biography will be Manfish: The Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne.

Both books are perfect for introducing students to the amazingly serene and beautiful world that exists below the oceans of the world. In a time when our oceans are being violated and assaulted by humans, we need to remember how important Jacques Cousteau's message is "People protect what they love."

Another great pairing with The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau is a second Bluebonnet Award nominated book called Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins. This impressive book explores the depths and layers of the ocean to places where exotic and monstrously beautiful creatures exist.