Ocean advocacy is not just for grown-ups. From an early age, many children are fascinated by the wonderful world of our seas, and these great educational books about the ocean are delightful gifts for every curious child.
Whether it inspires them to become a marine biologist or a manta ray advocate later in life, or they grow up to spend their vacations snorkeling and diving, the following books are filled with fascinating facts about marine animals and ocean life.
We start with the books for older children – scroll down to the last couple of books if you’re looking for educational ocean books for younger children.
#1 The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids
This thick book (214 pages) is full of beautiful pictures and features over 500 interesting facts. It leads to hours and hours of underwater exploration… without leaving home.
It covers everything from tiny fish and deep-sea giants over zooplankton to shipwrecks and is aimed at children 8-12 years old.
#2 Ocean: a Visual Encyclopedia
This amazing book about ocean life features beautiful artwork to explain key processes in the ocean, catalog pages with profiles on dozens of marine animals and underwater features, as well as awe-inspiring double-page images celebrating life below the surface.
It features everything from tiny plankton and giant whales to coral reefs and depth zones.
It’s the perfect resource aimed at children 8-12 years old who are interested in what happens in the ocean!
#3 Eyewitness Ocean
This children’s book uses photographs, diagrams, maps, and infographics to teach children all about the oceans – from prehistoric to protecting the oceans of the future.
Meet jet-propelled octopuses and hermit crabs, look closely at seaweed, find out how waves form, and discover the submarines and submersibles that have explored shipwrecks and the deepest trenches.
#4 Knowledge Encyclopedia Ocean!
This children’s underwater encyclopedia uses 3D/CGI imagery to reveal the underwater world. It’s informative, easy to read, and full of beautiful images, including detailed cross-sections and cutaways, charts, and infographics.
Knowledge Encyclopedia Ocean! covers ocean science, seashores, polar oceans, lots of different types of fish and other marine life animals, and much more – and it’s aimed at inquisitive children aged 9-12.
#5 Unbelievable Pictures and Facts about Manta Rays
Author Olivia Greenwood wrote this book to ignite a passion for learning in young kids.
Let your children discover the wonderful world of manta rays with beautiful pictures (for all ages)!
#6 Facts about the Manta Ray (Picture book for Kids)
This book featuring beautiful pictures of the gentle giants in their natural habitat teaches children (almost) everything about manta rays. It even includes coloring pages.
It’s made for children of five years and older – although younger children may enjoy it as well.
#7 Search the Ocean, Find the Animals
Explore a world of ocean animals in this hidden picture book for kids ages 5 to 7!
Search the Ocean, Find the Animals is bursting with picture puzzles and interesting facts about the ocean. Kids can search for hidden pictures while learning all about the ocean’s most interesting animals along the way.
Every beautiful illustration includes trivia about the ocean so children will learn about different marine habitats and what they can do to keep oceans healthy.
#8 Look & Find in the Ocean
Discover a world beneath the waves in this interactive book with hundreds of ocean-themed animals and objects, such as dolphins, sharks, fish, whales, coral, and more.
Featuring full-color illustrations on every page, Look & Find: In the Ocean provides endless entertainment for curious toddlers and their families. With 800 objects to discover inside, this ocean-themed book includes questions and prompts on each page.
Children can develop their attention skills while counting, learning, and discovering in this large-format full-color book for children between 4 and 8 years old.
#9 My First Book of Ocean Animals
Explore life under the sea with this book of ocean critters for kids ages 3 to 5.
The book explores underwater life of all kinds, from tiny plankton to huge whales. My First Book of Ocean Animals is packed with fun facts and photos that teach kids all about the reptiles that crawl on coastlines, and the fish that swim underwater.
The colorful pictures take kids deep under the ocean – no submarine required! Learn where marine animals live, what they eat, and more.
#10 National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean
This is an adorable animal reference book that includes the sea’s high-interest animals, such as dolphins, sharks, sea otters, and penguins, and introduces kids to some of the ocean’s lesser-known creatures.
Find more than 100 animal profiles with facts about the creatures’ sizes, diets, homes, and more – all with beautiful photographs.
This book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and any other time.
More books?
Know any children’s books about oceans and/or manta rays that we should know about? Tell us in the comments!
Looking for more educational resources for children? Check out these 5 awesome websites to teach children about ocean conservancy, or check out the story of Notch, the Rescued Dolphin!
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