cover image Ocean Counting

Ocean Counting

Janet Lawler, photos by Brian Skerry. National Geographic, $16.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-4263-1116-1

Readers are invited to count from one to 10 with photographs of aquatic animals, described in brief, vivid captions: “5 pink sea star arms. Five arms on this pink sea star bend and flex. Tube-like suckers underneath these arms hold the sea star in place.” Small sidebar boxes provide surprising animal facts, and the images showcase the wild diversity of undersea color: seven glass eye fish are blazing red, and nine hammerhead sharks swim as a group in sunlight-infused turquoise water. Appended animal facts and a note from photographer Skerry provide additional insight into each species and the process of capturing them on film. Ages 2–5. (May)