A Sea Within a Sea: Secrets of the Sargasso

Our family loves this book. My son asks for it a lot, and adults and children alike enjoy reading it in our house. My son, age 4, has a serious interest in all things having to do with the ocean (sharks, fish, whales, etc.), and this book is a great addition to his collection. What is nice about it is that it captures both the fantasy aspect of the ocean (sea monsters, for instance), while also showing us some scientific facts (about the famed Sargasso Sea and its' inhabitants). I actually learned quite a bit that I didn't know about the Sargasso while reading it. I have no idea what that other reviewer is talking about when he/she critiques the book's color. The artwork in this book is beautiful, and is quite colorful. I think some people seem to expect some sort of garish Disney-like experience all the time or something. There is a definite color scheme in the book - golds, blues, and a few touches of red, but that creates a certain mood (and is probably more true to this area of ocean). It's a fun challenge on some pages to have your child find the sea creatures in among the seaweed. And finally, this book is well-written. The words are in the form of poetry, which makes it a good option for poetry study with your child. I've read some books for children that have irritating, forced poetry. This book is not irritating at all, and is actually quite beautiful.

The Sargasso Sea lies in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and is the source of countless maritime legends and lore. It is also a place of tranquility, marine life, and tangled seaweed that blankets the surface of the sea and entraps unwary ships. In A Sea Within A Sea: Secrets Of The Sargasso, Ruth Heller vividly explores the secrets of the Sargasso through well crafted rhymes and museum quality artwork. Young readers are treated to eels, flying fish, and other forms of fascinating aquatic life, folklore monsters and the oceanographic science of this natural wonder. Very highly recommended for school and community library collections.