Extreme Oceans by Sylvia A. Earl

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

"The crab that I held in my hands could barely move. It wasn't old. It wasn't diseased. It as smothered in black, tarry oil." That is an excerpt from the book I am reading right now, Extreme Oceans from National Geographic Kids. Of course anything running under the National Geographic name is quality material, so it was no surprise to us that this would be too. My favorite thing about it is the information that it is giving, but I also love that it speaks to you conversationally. It is written from the viewpoint of Sylvia A. Earle, the National Geographic Explorer who wrote the book. 

While the book is informative (and it is informative) it is also a call to action. For instance, it helps children see the importance behind things they are told not to do. There is a page about the dangers of plastic bags when they fall into, or are thrown into, the ocean. There is a huge picture of a plastic bag on the water, and how it looks from below. Well, to the fish (and to me when I am looking at that picture) it looks like a jellyfish. If you are a hungry fish that eats jellies, there is no danger warning that is going to go off to let you know what you are about to consume. Seeing the connections and having the visual to go along with them really helps drive the information home. 

The book is 110 pages and is recommended for children ages 8-12, but of course anyone can enjoy this kind of presentation. 

Discover the most outrageous aspects of the deep blue---from record-breaking depths to towering tsunamis, underwater giants to tiny sea creatures--along with ocean conservation challenges and what you can do to help.

Dive into a world of aquatic mystery in this action-packed combination of science and adventure. Famed National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle leads readers on an in-depth tour of life beneath the waves. Come face-to-face with whales and sharks, learn about the newest and most hi-tech ocean gear and gadgets, experiment with hands-on activities, and join Earle as she recounts her most daring dives. Packed with fascinating tidbits, animal profiles, and up-to-date science, each chapter combines stunning photography with fun, accessible text. Perfect for curious kids, ocean lovers, young explorers, and the classroom. Extreme Ocean reveals the mystery, majesty, danger, and--above all--the importance of our ocean.

Extreme Oceans from National Geographic Kids is available in retail stores. It is also available online, including at Amazon. If you are looking for something to do, and reading is on that list, I highly recommend it.