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Colorful, Captivating Coral Reefs

dorothy hinshaw patent kendahl jan jubb

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Coral reefs are among the most dazzling sights in nature. The colorful corals that compose them are breathtaking-- but these habitats are more than just beautiful. They are teeming with wildlife. Brilliantly colored fish with wild shapes and patterns swim in and out of every cranny. Algae help reefs stay alive, and other creatures, such as eels and octopuses, lurk among the corals waiting for prey.

In their fifth collaboration, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent and Kendahl Jan Jubb use clear prose and vivid watercolors to reveal the workings of these dynamic and beautiful ecosystems-- from how reefs develop to the wide variety of creatures that inhabit them.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1,2003

This edition

Format
40 pages, Hardcover
Published
October 1, 2003 by Walker Books for Young Readers
ISBN
9780802788627
ASIN
0802788629
Language
English

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About the author

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dorothy hinshaw patent

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As a child, my favorite activity was exploring nature, especially finding animals like frogs, toads, and lizards. I kept tropical fish, had a dog, and loved riding horses. My love of animals led to a Ph.D. degree from U.C. Berkley in Zoology. In grad school I met and married fellow student Greg Patent. Our two sons, David and Jason, were born before we finished school. I wanted to use my training and my knowledge, but I also wanted to raise my sons and be there for them when they needed me. I decided that writing the kind of books I'd always loved reading was a good solution to my dilemma, and that turned out to be true. One of my favorite things is learning new "stuff," and every time I tackle a new book project I get to indulge myself in that passion. I'm a lucky gal!

Fast forward to the present. Our sons are grown and have their own families. We live in Missoula, MT, where Greg is now a food writer (http://www.thebakingwizard.com) and a radio personality (httpp://www.mtpr.org--look for Food Guys). My writing has expanded to other nonfiction topics, especially ones dealing with the Westward Expansion period of U.S. history. I've taught writing classes in many venues, visited schools in most U.S. states, attended many conferences for teachers and librarians, won a number of awards, and had great travel adventures in pursuit of my subject matter.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.5 / 5.0, 6 votes)
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6 reviews All reviews
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fallenbunzx
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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After reading "Colorful Captivating Coral Reefs", I am truly captivated.

I especially enjoy looking at the little flap in the beginning of the book that describes the dazzling sights and breathtaking shapes. The first page presents a map of the world, indicating all the coral reefs and their respective locations.

I find this image extremely powerful as it is not an everyday occurrence to see a coral reef. I have a genuine love for this book. However, it is more suitable as a reading material for older readers.

I would definitely include this book in my classroom library as it would serve as an excellent browsing option for my students when they have no immediate work to do.

One aspect that I don't like about this book is the lack of vocabulary definitions throughout. Nevertheless, this book is both fun and engaging for students as they can discover numerous interesting facts within its pages.

There are small white bolded words that name the animals or algae shown in the book. As an activity, I would love to take the students on a field trip to the aquarium.

This would enable them to see the water creatures in person and gain more knowledge from the aquarium workers.

Overall, "Colorful Captivating Coral Reefs" is a great book with both its strengths and areas for improvement.
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chingstah
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is generally a quite good picture book introduction to coral reefs.

It provides detailed information about the types of coral and the various fish and other marine life that inhabit the reef. The illustrations are vivid and engaging, which can easily attract the attention of readers.

However, there are also some不足之处. Unfortunately, there is no bibliography, which makes it difficult for readers to further explore and research related topics.

Moreover, I found the last several pages of the book too heavy and bleak for the target audience. Regarding the human-caused danger and destruction to the coral reefs, it presents a rather pessimistic view. Although there is a brief section at the end mentioning what governments and other organizations are doing to help, I would have also liked to see more about what children can do to contribute.

It would be great if the author could add some practical suggestions and actions that children can take to protect the coral reefs, so as to inspire them to become more involved in environmental protection.
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Jistuma
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Filled with vivid colors and captivating beautiful images, this remarkable book is bound to engage students and ignite their curiosity, compelling them to delve deeper into the fascinating world of coral reefs. It offers a wealth of substantial information about coral reefs, covering various aspects such as their precise location around the globe, the diverse types of coral reefs that exist, the numerous benefits they provide to the ecosystem and humanity, and the wide variety of animals that call coral reefs their home. This book is an excellent resource for conducting informational writing, particularly suitable for students in grades 5 - 6. They can select a specific coral reef to conduct further in-depth research on. Additionally, with the help of construction paper, students can unleash their creativity and even create a detailed diagram of a particular type of coral reef. They can carefully label its unique features and the different fish breeds that inhabit it, thereby enhancing their understanding and knowledge of this delicate and important ecosystem.

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giddy27
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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We read this book simultaneously as we read "24 Hours Coral Reef" and "One Small Square Coral Reefs". This particular book encompassed most of the same information, yet it had a few additional elements that truly made it quite fascinating.

The illustrations within this book are vivid paintings. However, they are not very useful for identification purposes. One would need to accompany it with actual photographs for that.

Initially, I was completely inclined to love this book. Nevertheless, the last few pages were entirely focused on how evil mankind is, how destructive we are, and how global warming is wreaking havoc on everything. While I wholeheartedly support taking care of the planet and doing one's part to "live green", I do not appreciate such content in children's books. I abhor the indoctrination of certain subjects onto the young. Consequently, we skipped those parts. I do engage in conversations with the kids regarding pollution and global warming, but I prefer it to be on my own terms, rather than being presented as "the truth" by someone regarded as "the authority" (in this case, the author).

In conclusion, this is indeed a great book. However, if you are like me, it is advisable to use it with caution.
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SilentChameleon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Personal Response-

I chose this book for a very specific reason. I have a deep love for both the ocean and animals. The moment I opened the book, I was immediately drawn in by the captivating paintings. The bright colors that adorn every page are truly a sight to behold. What's more, the book presents a wealth of detailed information in a highly interesting manner. It's the kind of information that students would not only enjoy reading but also find engaging and educational.



Purpose in the Classroom-

Third graders would find this book particularly enjoyable. One of the great aspects is that it explains challenging words within the text, making it more accessible for them. Additionally, the illustrations are not only beautiful but also interesting to look at, which can enhance their understanding. However, I would be cautious about giving this book to younger grades. Due to the significant amount of scientific vocabulary, it could potentially be confusing for them, unless they were at a relatively higher reading level. This book would be an excellent choice for independent reading during an ocean unit. It could also be used for projects related to animals in the ocean, especially when discussing coral reefs, as it clearly states that they are living animals. Moreover, it would be a great resource during a discussion on Earth Day, as it provides valuable information on protecting coral reefs and the impact of global warming. The nonfiction conventions used in this book are also quite useful. It has an index with scientific names and corresponding page numbers, bold-faced type to highlight important terms, labels of the species next to the coral and fish, and a diagram showing how coral cells divide.

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Syureria
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a beautifully illustrated book that delves into the captivating world of coral reefs.

It presents a detailed exploration of the diverse and enchanting coral reefs found across the globe.

The illustrations are truly a sight to behold, vividly bringing the underwater wonderland to life.

However, as an introductory book on this subject, it has a significant drawback.

Namely, it is extremely wordy and long winded.

The excessive use of words can make it a bit of a challenge for readers, especially those who are new to the topic of coral reefs.

It could have been more concise and to the point, while still maintaining the essential information and the beauty of the illustrations.

Despite this flaw, the book does offer a wealth of knowledge about coral reefs, and for those willing to invest the time and effort in reading through the verbose text, it can be a rewarding experience.

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