Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.

Screenwise Verdict

This isn't your standard, boring 'here is a dolphin' book. Yuval Zommer has a way of making science look like art.

It’s part of a series that basically every kid’s bookshelf needs if you want to foster a love for the planet without relying on a screen. It’s high-quality, durable, and—thankfully—actually interesting for the adult who has to read it for the tenth time in a row.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 3 to 8 crowd. It’s simple enough to read aloud to a preschooler, but the art and specific facts have enough 'wow' factor to keep a 2nd grader turning pages.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

95

It's nature-focused, gentle, and celebrates the natural world. The tone is curious and respectful toward the environment without being overly sentimental or preachy.

Imaginative

92

Yuval Zommer’s illustration style is whimsical and distinct. It moves away from dry, clinical photography to create a sense of wonder and 'magic' about the ocean floor.

Safe

100

It's a children's picture book about marine life. There is no mature content, violence, or unexpected scary elements beyond the natural 'scary' look of deep-sea fish.

Enriching

94

Packed with legitimate marine biology facts, it teaches kids about ecosystems and conservation. The 'search and find' element keeps kids engaged with the details on every page.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The art style is genuinely beautiful and far more engaging than a standard, dry science textbook.
It includes a 'find the hidden object' game throughout the book that keeps wiggly kids focused on the pages.
Covers environmental conservation in a way that feels empowering rather than doom-and-gloom.
Answers the actual weird questions kids have, like how fish breathe and why octopuses have so many arms.

⚠

What to Watch For

It's a physically large book, so it’s great for floor reading but a bit of a beast to pack for travel.
The information is bite-sized; kids who want deep, encyclopedic levels of data might outgrow it quickly.

Conversation Starters

"If you lived underwater, would you rather have eight arms like an octopus or a blowhole like a whale?"
"Why do you think it's important to keep plastic out of the ocean?"
"Which of these fish looks the most like a monster to you, and which one looks the friendliest?"
"If you could visit a coral reef today, what's the first animal you'd look for?"