Using cumulative verse, this picture book introduces children to the sea turtles, moray eels, sponges, parrotfish and remoras that are all part of the coral reef ecosystem, while giving young readers an understanding of the interdependency of life in this ecologically diverse environment. Set in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, this lyrical tale introduces young readers to some of the coral reef’s most striking residents. From the sleek shark to the colorful coral cod to the deceptively beautiful sea anemone, each creature in this abundant undersea world relies on another for its existence. Beginning with coral, the very element that defines this ecosystem, Madeleine Dunphy uses a cumulative approach, combining simple yet forceful verse with repetition to reveal the fragile chain that links each of the animals in this unique environment. Tom Leonard’s vibrant paintings capture this miraculous circle of life.
Other Books in the Series: HERE IS ANTARCTICA, HERE IS THE AFRICAN SAVANNA, HERE IS THE ARCTIC WINTER, HERE IS THE SOUTHWESTERN DESERT, HERE IS THE TROPICAL RAIN FOREST, and HERE IS THE WETLAND. Free downloadable activities can be found on the publisher’s website.