Sea Bones - Hardcover

Bob Barner has written and illustrated more than 25 books. When not creating books, he likes to present his work at schools and libraries around the world. He lives in San Francisco.

K-Gr 2—Having romped through the world of bones with Dem Bones (1996) and Dinosaur Bones (2001, both Chronicle), Barner turns to the bony (or not) denizens of the ocean. His colorful, impressionistic torn paper, pen-and-ink, and watercolor illustrations splash enthusiastically across the pages, accompanied by double-decker text. Simple, rhyming single sentences aimed at younger children sprawl about in large bright print, while brief paragraphs, clinging tidily in conventional type, present a modicum of additional data for older readers or for parents or teachers to share with the curious. From sea jellies to blue whales, sharks to coral polyps, the wide variety of creatures is eye-catching and inviting. A final colorful chart of "Sea Facts" allows for quick comparison of the eight pictured species. VERDICT Looser in its organization than Barner's previous bone books, this is another exuberant, colorful approach to all things bone.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY