This coral reef is a marine nursery, teeming with parents and babies! In the age-old way of kids and fish, children will count and sing to the rhythm of "Over in the Meadow" while pufferfish "puff," gruntfish "grunt" and seahorses "flutter." The colorful art is fresh and fun--constructed entirely from polymer clay--and invites young fingers to fashion fishy forms. Includes background information on marine life that even older children will enjoy!

LATEST NEWS: AUDIO CD's are now available for both this book and "Over in the Jungle, a Rainforest Rhyme." I read the story and sing the song, so everyone can join in. Cost is $6.00 or $10.00 for both and can only be ordered through me, so please e-mail me for more info.

NEWS FLASH! "Over in the Ocean, in a Coral Reef," has won seven awards since its release: PMA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award; Marion Ridgeway Honor Book Award; National Parenting Publications Gold Award; Learning Magazine's 2006 Teachers' Choice Award,Bank Street College of Education Best Books for 2005, and the "Blue Hen Award," (Delaware)for best picture book. It is also listed on many other state library lists, was a Chickadee Award nominee in the state of Maine in 2006, and is currently a 2009 nominee for the "Young Hoosier Award" in Indiana.

It was voted an honor book for the 2006-2007 FRA Children's Book Award. "Ocean" came in second place with 15,022 votes. WOW!

On Friday, May 16, 2008 this book was reviewed on "Just One More Book" a live audio book chat. Click on to http://www.justonemorebook.com/2008/05/16/a-catchy-coral-chorus-over-in-the-ocean-in-a-coral-reef/

E mail Marianne to request a reproducible bookmark of four sea creatures that are in the book (seahorse, angelfish, octopus & parrotfish), which can be reproduced and given to students.

September 2004 Review - Kirkus "Eye-popping artwork is the star of the show in Berkes' lively, oceanic counting book, based on the classic children's song "Over in the Meadow." In Berkes' version, creatures from the coral reef replace terrestrial fauna. She introduces a different animal in each full-bleed spread, but instead of bluebirds and muskrats, she highlights octopuses, pufferfish, and seahorses. Canyon uses polymer clay to create arresting visuals. In one spread, a sea anemone, its hot pink base crowned with rosy-tipped, lime-green tendrils, bursts from the page while mother clownfish darts after a trio of young ones. Their textured scales and vivid patterns stand out against a swirling blue background of coiled clay and small, bubble-like spheres. Young children will enjoy counting the offspring. Backmatter includes music and lyrics, further information about each animal, and an artists' note explaining how the illustrations were created. (Picture book. 4-8)" For more great reviews, see www.dawnpub.com.