In the Sea, is a good short poetry book for children in the primary grades. The poetry is short and simple, not more than a few lines. Some of the poems rhyme and others have a rhythm to how you speak them. The poems give the children a good amount of imagery as well both in describing words and figurative language as well as in illustration. The book has poems for the common animals of the sea and would be a great way to start poetry in a content area of learning about the ocean. “In the Sea” by David Elliott is a short book of poetry featuring 17 poems about various creatures that live in the sea. The poems are very brief and feature some clever rhymes that will surprise and delight readers (tuxedo and torpedo, apparition and magician, etc.). My favorite poem is “The Shark.” It contains five lines and only 13 total words, but it captures the essence of this terrifying sea dweller better than a lengthier poem could. This poetry book would be appropriate for children as young as preschool age. They will like the brief poems that mostly feature small words that they would be familiar with, though an adult might have to explain words such as “apparition” and “carapace.” But even if children don’t know the meaning of these words, the rhythm and rhyme of the poems will captivate them. I also could see this book being used with older readers (up to middle or high school age) to teach them about poetry. These poems are great examples of how just a few words, chosen wisely, can call forth an image or express a thought or emotion better than lengthy paragraphs full of $10 words. This book also would be a great supplement to any lesson on oceanography or marine biology. The illustrations by Holly Meade were created using watercolor and wood block prints. The pictures fill the two-page spreads and capture the color and movement of the ocean and the creatures who dwell there. Overall, the clever and amusing poems and the remarkable illustrations make this book of poetry a winner for all ages.
What do You think about In The Sea (2012)?
Poems are delightful, the illustrations with their patterns and movement are stunning.
—naztnan
Wonderful poems and pictures about life in the ocean. Good rhymes and vocabulary.
—avery
Short little poems about the animals in the sea- great illustrations.
—imt
short, but cute and funny poems about all kinds of sea creatures
—quin
