I love incorporating books into our learning, and there are some amazing toddler booksfocusing on 'Under the Water' and 'The Ocean' themes. Some of my favorites are below. I've focused mainly on fiction books, but I really encourage you to look through some nonfiction books with your toddlers. You'll be amazed how interested they are and if you look at the pictures and ask open-ended questions they will learn so much! There are thousands of books about the ocean out there but we’ve assembled a few of our favorites. These books are a mix of fiction, memoir, and non-fiction that all pay tribute to the beauty, mystery, and power of the oceans to capture our imaginations and fascination. The Sea Mammal Alphabet Book by Jerry Palotta. If you have (or know) little ones who are learning their ABCs and who also love ocean animals, this book is both a wonderful tool to practice alphabet memorization while simultaneously learning about some of our ocean’s most charismatic megafauna: marine mammals. From whales and dolphins to seals and sea otters (and beyond), this colorfully illustrated book is sure to both build children’s foundational literacy skills while also building up a foundation of love, admiration and appreciation for our ocean.

A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue by Catherine Barr. If you’re looking for a book that can help introduce children to the challenges facing our ocean today in a gentle but captivating and action-inspiring way, this book is a winner. In A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue, a sea turtle guide takes young readers on a tour of Earth’s five oceans, showcasing the fascinating wildlife that live there, the important roles they play and the problems they need our help with most today. The book concludes with the turtle guide sharing what kids can do to help support and protect these precious animals and their home, no matter where in the world they are.I'm sure you've heard of this one before and if you've already read the original there are also some spin-off books too. With magnetic pieces, this book Under the Sea Magnetic Story & Play Scene not only tells a story but also lets your children create their own stories. I loved listening to mine act out their own story with the people in the submarine discovering the underwater world. Way down Deep in the Deep blue sea Our work is focused on solving some of the greatest threats facing our ocean today. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean.

Below the Edge of Darkness by Edith Widder, Ph.D. If you’re fascinated by the ability of certain organisms to thrive in the darkest areas of the deepest parts of our ocean, look no further than this captivating documentation of bioluminescence. Below the Edge of Darkness was written by Edith Widder, a marine biologist who became fascinated by the power of light after experiencing temporary blindness due to surgery complications. This book takes readers on a journey 800 feet below the surface to explore some of the biggest modern questions about the deep sea, as well as the risks of modern exploration and their implications for the future health of our ocean. Under the Sea Picture Books follow along with the tale as you visit the colourful coral reef down to the darkest depths of the ocean. SwimmyMake some clay animals to go with the book Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes Wish for a Fish: All about Sea Creatures Cat in the Hats Learning Library With the help of donors like you, Ocean Conservancy is developing innovative solutions to save our ocean.

While I love any book about the sea, there’s a category of “ocean books” that I’ve found myself more fascinated with each day. This category: books about ocean discoveries, the deep sea and little-known facts about the sea. I’ve found myself drawn to books that challenge the way I think our blue planet, and stories that indicate just how much more there is yet to uncover and understand about the natural world. This year I've decided to have a focus on our toddler books and activities at home, and am aiming to spend a few weeks on each topic. My daughter is a huge Octonauts fan and has taken a big interest in the ocean and all of the animals that live there. For this reason, we are going to start with'Under the Water' and will be planning activities relating to this theme. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. These books have been chosen as our favourite under the sea themed books to read with your toddlers and preschoolers. Tip: Plan ahead and reserve these at your local library if you don't want to buy them - although after re-reading my list, these would all look good on my bookshelf!)Look and Learn with this National Geographic favourite for toddlers – with simple words and bright colourful pictures National Geographic Kids Look and Learn will grow with you and your child. Ocean Story Cloth Book Along with National Geographic, we also love the Eyewitness guides from DK and DK Eyewitness Books: Oceanis full of information with fantastic images and another that will last through the years so a good investment. Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef Create a Storytelling Wheel to help your child retell the story of the snail and the whale Mister SeaHorse Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver by Jill Heinerth.Jill Heinerth was the first person in history to dive to the bottom of an iceberg in Antarctica and led a team that discovered the underwater remains of Mayan civilizations. This book tells her firsthand story of what it’s like to explore our planet’s final frontier: the deep sea. Illuminating both the “terror and beauty” of our planet’s remaining unknowns, Heinerth’s memoir shares a plethora of diving experiences and spotlights key issues surrounding this occupation. A few of these issues include the barriers that prevent women from pursuing careers beneath the waves, harrowing experiences that inevitably come with the territory of being a diver and the critical discoveries made possible by the risks these divers take.