Sea Week is coming up next month so editor Linda Jane has put together an ocean-themed list, with non-fiction books covering from the shore to the deep sea.
Look, I love any excuse to talk about both nature and books so obviously nature books are my favourite combo. Please enjoy this selection of beach and ocean books, some new and some not-so-new.
The New Zealand Seashore Guide
By Sally Carson & Rod Morris
Potton & Burton (2022)
RRP: $49.99
This is an excellently designed photographic guide to New Zealand’s seashore, with species grouped by type. The larger format compared to the original (Collins, 2017) really does justice to the images which are clear and bright with plenty of close-ups. Although not specifically aimed at children, it’s an excellent guide for the whole family.
Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep
Written by Victoria Cleal & illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Te Papa Press (2020)
RRP: $29.99
I love this. This is the book that made me ask Isobel Joy Te Aho-White to illustrate one of mine (release forthcoming). It’s a fabulous deep dive (see what I did there) into the life and habitat of a colossal squid – an excellent piece of creative non-fiction. You can read out review of it here.
Tohorā: The Southern Right Whale
Written & illustrated by Ned Barraud
Potton & Burton (2019)
RRP: $29.99
There’s no denying that Ned Barraud is very good at what he does. Tohorā is more about whaling than the tohorā themselves but it’s beautifully done and doesn’t shy away from the realities of the industry. Read our review here.
Rockpools: A Guide for Kiwi Kids
Written & illustrated by Ned Barraud
Potton & Burton (2019)
RRP: $19.99
Looks like 2019 was a good year for sea-themed books, and a good year for Ned Barraud! Rockpools is lushly illustrated (as are all of Barraud’s titles) and a lovely dip into rockpool wildlife. Read our review here.
Toroa’s Journey
By Maria Gill & Gavin Mouldey
Potton & Burton (2017)
RRP: $19.99
By now I’m sure you can tell I’m a sucker for beautiful illustrations. This gem is based on a real-life albatross chick and follows its life story. A double fold-out spread helps give an idea of how huge toroa are. We reviewed the book here.
The Life-Size Guide to the New Zealand Beach
By Andrew Crowe
Penguin (2004)
RRP: $24.99
Andrew Crowe has created an excellent selection of guide books and this one is no exception. As per the title, life-size images of common beach finds are accompanied by informative text. I wrote a little more about it here.
New Zealand Seashore Wildlife: Which? What? Why?
By Dave Gunson
Bateman Books (2020)
RRP: $19.99
This book is a great treasure trove of facts and great questions answered. Little comic-esque speech bubbles add some extra humour to the text, which is written in a really kid-friendly way.
Under the Ocean: Explore and Discover New Zealand’s Sea Life
By Ned Barraud & Gillian Candler
Craig Potton Publishing (2014)
RRP: $19.99
Yes, it’s another Ned Barraud, this time with Gillian Candler. They have an excellent explore & discover series together which I wrote about here, one of which is At the Beach, so check that one out too.
Secrets of the Sea: The story of New Zealand’s native sea creatures
By Robert Vennell
HarperCollins Publishers (2022)
RRP: $55.00
Another one not specifically aimed at kids but a beautiful book for older or advanced readers that covers not just biology and habitat but the history of our oceanic species.
Beachcombing: A guide to seashores of the Southern Hemisphere
By Ceridwen Fraser
Otago University Press (2021)
RRP: $30.00
Here’s another guide to things that wash up on the seashore, again, not designed for children but like the others not out of reach. A lovely informative guide.
Linda Jane is the lead editor of The Sapling, a parent, and a writer of picture books, poetry, and other tidbits. Her background is varied, including work in ecology, environmental education, summer camps, and a community newspaper. She is Singaporean-Pākehā, queer, and loves leaping into cold bodies of water.