Picture Books

The Serpent Came to Gloucester by M.T. Anderson; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

(Children Picture Book Lg ANDER)

Rhyming text tells of a sea serpent that plays off the coast of Massachusetts the summer of 1817, and is hunted upon its return the next year. Includes a page of facts upon which the story is based.

The Merbaby by Teresa Bateman

(Children Picture Book BATEM)

When he and his brother Josh find a mer-baby caught in their fishing net, Tarron, rejecting his brother’s plan to sell the baby and make a profit, discovers that there are greater treasures than gold.

Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea by Chris Butterworth; illustrated by John Lawrence

(Children Picture Book BUTTE)

An informative overview that’s also a great read aloud, with colorful hand-printed illustrations.

The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell

(Children Picture Book + CAMPB)

Each of King Neptune’s 50 mermaid daughters boasts a special talent, except for little Minnow, who seems to be good only at asking questions. When she finds a strange object, Minnow follows her questions to a wondrous place and finds answers, including the answer to the most important question of all: Who am I? A gorgeously illustrated story about finding one’s purpose.

10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle

(Children Picture Book Lg CARLE)

When a storm strikes a cargo ship, ten rubber ducks are tossed overboard and swept off in ten different directions. Based on a factual incident.

Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle

(Children Picture Book Lg CARLE)

After Mrs. Seahorse lays her eggs on Mr. Seahorse’s belly, he drifts through the water, greeting other fish fathers who are taking care of their eggs.

Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins

(Children Picture Book Lg COUSI)

Little Fish has all sorts of fishy friends in his underwater home, but loves one of them most of all.

Big Blue Whale by Nicola Davies ; illustrated by Nick Maland

(Children Picture Book + DAVIE)

Examines the physical characteristics, habits, and habitats of the blue whale.

Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davis; illustrated by James Croft

(Children Picture Book + DAVIE)

Introduces many different species of sharks, pointing out such characteristics as the small size of the dwarf lantern shark and the physical characteristics and behavior that makes sharks killing machines.

Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies

(Children Picture Book LIES)

On a night when the moon can grow no fatter, bats pack their moon-tan lotion and baskets of treats and fly off for some fun on the beach.

If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano; illustrated by Erin Stead

(Children Picture Book FOGLI)

Advises the reader about what to do, and not do, in order to successfully spot a whale, such as wrapping up in a not-too-cozy blanket, ignoring the roses, and especially, being patient.

Wave by Suzy Lee

(Children Picture Book LEE)

A wordless picture book that shows a little girl’s first experiences at the beach, as she goes from being afraid of the roaring waves to playing on the shore while gulls soar overhead.

All You Need for a Beach by Alice Schertle; illustrated by Barbara Lavallee

(Children Picture Book + SCHER)

Rhyming text describes items essential for fun at the beach, from the first grain of sand, to a beach umbrella, to a bucket and shovel, to the waves rolling in to tickle your toes.

Flotsam by David Wiesner

(Children Picture Book WIESN)

The story of what happens when a camera becomes a piece of flotsam.

Beginning Readers

Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea by Cynthia Rylant

(Children Picture Book RYLAN)

Follows the seaside adventures of Henry, Henry’s father, and Henry’s big dog, Mudge.

Middle Grade

The Clambake Mutiny by Jerome Beatty, Jr.; illustrated by Tomi Ungerer

(Children PZ7.B380542 Cl)

When his uncle is caught in a trap and taken out of the ocean, a young lobster decides to get in the next trap and see what happens to caught lobsters. Together they lead a mutiny at a clambake.

The Sea Egg by L.M. Boston

(Children PZ7.B6497 Se 1967)

A sea triton hatches from a special egg-shaped stone, to both the expectation and amazement of two little English school boys on holiday at the coast.

Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman

(Children PZ7.H6533 Aq 2001)

A love-struck mermaid named Aquamarine supplies adventure and insights to two twelve-year-old girls, life-long friends who are spending their last summer together before one of them moves away.

Dear Dolphin by Herbert A. Kenny

(Children PZ7.K3958 De)

A girl searching for the Lost Atlantis is accompanied by a witty dolphin who introduces her to the sea creatures.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

(Children PZ7.K4842 Tai 2004)

After finally convincing her mother that she should take swimming lessons, twelve-year-old Emily discovers a terrible and wonderful secret about herself that opens up a whole new world.

Informational Books

Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion by Griffin Burns

(Children GC232 .B87 2007)

Describes the work of a man who tracks trash as it travels great distances by way of ocean currents.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess

(Children QH91 .B8)

An entertaining tale describing the Atlantic Coast and the seashore’s natural history.

Fossil Fish Found Alive:Discovering the Coelacanth by Sally M. Walker

(Children QL638.L26 W36 2002)

Describes the 1938 discovery of the coelacanth, a fish previously believed to be extinct, and subsequent research about it.

Eight Dolphins of Katrina: A True Tale of Survival by Janet Wyman Coleman; illustrated by Yan Nascimbene

(Children QL737.C432 C563 2013)

Recounts the true story of eight bottlenose dolphins and their trainers who survived the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Shark by Miranda MacQuitty

(Children + QL795.S46 M78 2000)

Describes, in text and photographs, the physical characteristics, behavior, and life cycle of various types of sharks.