A Is for Australian Reefs

by Frané Lessac, Frané Lessac (Illustrator)

Overview

With vibrant hues and a treasure trove of fascinating facts, the creator of A Is for Australian Animals celebrates biodiversity among the sea creatures living in reefs along the shore.

Along the Australian coastline, underwater reefs are bustling with the most amazing sea creatures living on the planet. What can blow bubble rings and swim through them? What has teeth on its eyeballs? What creature makes itself nearly invisible to predators by using camouflage? What poops out sand? More than 25 percent of all sea creatures live in coral reefs, also called “rain forests of the sea.” This book introduces readers to everything from playful dolphins to deadly Irukandji jellyfish, leafy sea dragons to brainy octopuses, and walking sharks to whimsical-looking zebra seahorses. With gorgeous patterns and colors and substantial entries exploring each creature’s anatomy, diet, threats to survival, and more, Frané Lessac brings us a truly fascinating undersea exploration of the awe-inspiring Australian reefs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536228304
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	06/13/2023
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	10.25(w) x 10.56(h) x 0.41(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Frané Lessac is the creator of the companion book A Is for Australian Animals as well as Under the Milky Way, Under the Southern Cross, and Island Counting 1 2 3. She has illustrated numerous books for children, including the Robert F. Sibert Honor Book We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, Pattan’s Pumpkin by Chitra Soundar, and Midnight: The Story of a Light Horse and The Donkey of Gallipoli, both by Mark Greenwood. Frané Lessac was born in the United States and now lives in Australia.

Editorial Reviews

The multitudes of species found in and around Australian coral reefs are showcased creatively in this vibrant alphabet book. . . . encourages readers to revisit the pages.
—The Horn Book (starred review)

The lively images reward attention. . . stands out for its stress on biodiversity, even occasionally showing how the many species are connected. . . . Sure to cultivate a sense of wonder at an oceanic ecosystem.
—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2023-03-14
Admire the astonishing biodiversity of Australian coral reefs.

Lessac, who has written and illustrated numerous informational books about places around the world, here focuses on her home country. The volume is organized alphabetically, starting with A for Australian reefs (which discusses fringing and patch reefs and includes a map of reefs surrounding Australia) and B for biodiversity, to, finally, Z for zebra seahorses. Each spread includes a topic overview and a few brief paragraphs of further material likely to appeal to young readers. Sometimes, if the alphabet permits, there are two topics on a spread—like parrot fish and peacock shrimp or urchins and violet sea apples. Lessac profiles four different types of sharks whose names begin with W (whale sharks, whitetip reef sharks, walking sharks, and wobbegongs). Her detailed gouache paintings emphasize the colors, patterns, and varieties of the reef’s coral and fish. A final page invites readers to go back and spot 12 different fish species found throughout. The information is accurate, and the lively images reward attention. This title joins a long line of coral reef celebrations, though it stands out for its stress on biodiversity, even occasionally showing how the many species are connected. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Sure to cultivate a sense of wonder at an oceanic ecosystem. (Informational picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews