"Mollusks
Mollusks are soft-bodied sea animals.
Reefs are home to thousands of
different kinds of mollusks, including
clams, oysters, squid, octopuses,
cuttlefish, and nudibranchs.
Cuttlefish have secret powers! In less than
a second, they can change the color, pattern,
shape, and texture of their skin in imitation
of their surroundings. That is why they're
known as the chameleons of the sea. "
Australia's coastline is home to four named underwater reefs: Montgomery Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Great Southern Reef, and Ningaloo Reef. Those reefs in turn are teeming with sea life and provide ecosystems worthy of wonder and study.
"Biodiversity
A reef has the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem
on Earth. More than 25 percent of all sea creatures
call a coral reef home."
This model of the best kind of nonfiction available for young readers today has much to teach all who share it. Using an alphabet format is inspired, and provides a chance to take a good look at the wealth of life in the Austalian coral reefs. Many of us have not seem them, and may never do so. Too many are threatened, or endangered in these trying times; their future is unknown.
Ms. Lessac begins her ABCs with information about the Australian reefs themselves, their biodiversity, and the Coral reefs. Pertinent bits of information accompany gorgeous gouache illustrations that are rife with the most beautiful colors and drawings of the creatures that live there. As she moves to the letter d, she begins to describe in detail those creatures: dolphins, eels, fish, Great Barrier Reef, Handfish, Irukandji, and the list goes on.
So much natural beauty, so much to learn about Australian sealife, and presented in an elegant and entertaining package sure to please. The letter matches work beautifully which is not always easy when presenting a singular topic in alphabet form. I'm sure many were left out ... perhaps enough for another book? The 'spot the fish' page that ends the book will have readers returning in earnest to find what they missed, and to continue their learning.
Perhaps now more than ever, readers young and old need to be aware of the importance of maintaining healthy reefs and their ecosystems around the world.
Just in case your curiosity was piqued:
"Irukandji
Irukandji are the smallest and one of the
most dangerous jellyfish in Australian
coastal waters and reefs.
When stung by an Irukandji, humans experience
symptoms that include stomach cramps, nausea,
vomiting, headaches, and feelings of impending doom.
Sometimes an Irukandji sting can lead to death."
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