Ocean by Greenaway, Gunzi, and Taylor. Photographed by Greenaway, Taylor, and Burton

One of my favorite genres to read to children is photography books. (I'm not sure that is an actual genre used in libraries to describe what I mean. I'm describing children's picture books that use photography in place of drawn illustrations.) I love showing a child what life really is like, because real life is so amazing! Nature in all of its splendor is such a testament to the genius that God is: there is so much beauty, diversity, complexity and simplicity all at once!

Ocean is full of these kinds of beautiful, up close photos of sea horses, fishes, sea stars, scallops, sea urchins, etc. It is nearly like a sea dive without having to get cold and wet or pay a lot to fly to a tropical island (I'm not saying I wouldn't like to fly to a tropical island...)

It's a DK (Dorling Kindersley) book with informative text that you don't have to share if you are trying to shorten the length of the read, but you can if you have a fascinated child.

Now if only the sound of the ocean wave and the smell of the salty mist could be included...

Well, I guess we'll have to drive to California for that!

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, Illustrated by Dan Hanna

I'm a pout pout fish

With a pout pout face

So I spread the drearie-wearies all over the place.

Blub. Blub. Blub.

You have to really make your lips move to make a motor boat (what do you call that?) at the beginning of the "blubs" to make this book really great. And the last "blub" has to be said like "blood" by a Count Dracula. At least we do in our family. 

This is a GREAT book about a fish who has a negative attitude and how a little love can change everything.

Deborah Diesen helps us turn a frown into a smile with this book. Definitely a book not to miss!

Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert

Lois Ehlert does wonderful illustrations in her books. I love the way she put holes in the pages where the eyes are: they are just the right size for a tiny finger to touch each fish while counting aloud. The colors are bright and energizing! The fun fish swim through the pages! The reader will enjoy the little charcoal fish that narrates as well. 

(New York: Red Wagon Books, 1990)