Imagine swimming with sharks, or petting a whale, or watching mother seals take care of their babies. When you read this book, you’re closer to living the experience than before. Brian Skerry details the adventures behind the pictures he takes of sea animals for National Geographic Magazine. The narrative style of writing makes the reader feel like they are there beside Skerry as he faces some fears real and imagined. In the end, the reader will walk away from the book appreciating the animals that live in places many of us will never get to visit.

In addition to wonderful descriptions, like explaining how underneath the ice looks like mountain peaks, Skerry writes descriptions that reader can readily identify in the pictures. The pronunciation for words follow the spelling, and his writing style is more like he is talking to a son or daughter than the typical academic format for nonfiction writing.

Curriculum Connections: This would be a great resource for a research project on ocean life and the way the animals interact with their changing environment. ( )