5 Cute Books to Teach Your Kids about the Sea

Just thinking about going on a cruise makes most adults giddy with excitement, but the same may not be true for your little ones.

The ocean is a vast expanse of endless water that contains many unseen—and scary—elements. Stepping off land and living on the water for several days may instill fear and apprehension in your child.

Luckily, there are plenty of great books on the market that can help with acclimatizing your child to the ocean before getting anywhere near it.

These books offer friendly illustrations of sea creatures, scientific knowledge about the connection between ocean and land and magical tales of unknown worlds beneath the surface.

Here are 5 of the best kids books about the sea that will having them counting down the days until they’re cruising through the waves.

1) Hello Ocean

A fantastic way to introduce the sea to a child who is scared of what may be lurking both inside and out of it, Hello Ocean offers readers a chance to learn about the ocean through the five senses: smell, sight, touch, hearing and taste.

Written in rhyme, descriptions of what can be found in the ocean are vivid: “I see the ocean, gray, green blue, a chameleon always changing hue.”

The pages are brought to life through acrylic paintings that seem as if they are photographs. This book is not to be missed.

Reading level 4 and up

2) I Wonder Why the Sea Is Salty

Does your child or children seem to possess the ability to constantly ask questions? Then I Wonder Why the Sea is Salty is the book you’ll want to read with them before heading out on that family vacation on the water.

With colorful illustrations and quirky-looking characters, you and your child will find out which animal is jet-propelled and if the Red Sea is really red. Of course, you’ll also figure out why the sea is salty.

Not only will your child learn something, but you will too.

Reading level 5 and up

3) Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef

If bright and engaging illustrations light up your child’s face, then Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef is the book for them.

This book teaches about different sea creatures through pictures that were created via polymer clay then photographed.

It also prompts kids to do body movements such as sing, clap, and count along with the pufferfish, gruntfish and seahorses in the book.

The writing is in rhyme, and even better, kids get to play a game of “I Spy” with the sea animals in the illustrations.

Reading level 3 and up

And 2 Fun Fictional Tales….

4) The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor

It may seem wacky that Ms. Fizzle decides to drive the Magic School Bus full-speed ahead into the ocean, but ultimately, that’s where all the learning and fun begins.

A lifeguard helps kids take a deep breath so they can learn about coral reefs and the amazing plant and animal life that reside at the bottom of the ocean.

It’s a science lesson snuck in between the pages of bright photos and fun cartoon bubbles.

Reading level 4 and up

5) Tess the Sea Turtle Fairy: A Rainbow Magic Book

Does your child love the idea of magic and fairies? Then this is a great book to prepare them for embarking on the vast, and sometimes frightening, ocean.

The Ocean Fairies keep all of the sea creatures safe from harm until one day when their magic goes missing. All the fairies must track down their magic and animal friend.

In Tess the Sea Turtle Fairy, Tess must find her turtle friend along with her magic. If she doesn’t, the baby turtles won’t find their way to the ocean, and chaos will ensue.

This book is a part of series of books about Ocean Fairies, any of which can be helpful to read with your child.

Reading level 6 and up

What’s your kid’s favorite watery tale? Let me know in the comments below.

Main photo: Child by the Sea by CiCCiO.it.