Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

By Jason Chin

Chin, Jason. Coral reefs. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2011.

Coral reefs are sometimes known as the cities of the sea.  Coral reefs are teaming with life. A reef starts with coral. certain types of fish come to eat the coral. Other predators follow the fish. Every animal that lives in the reef has different types of adaptations to protect itself against predators.  All of the plants and animals in the reef have different types of relationships.  Each depends on the other.

Chin provides facts and information about coral reefs in a colorful way.  He talks about how they are made, the types of animals that live in the reefs, food chains, predator and prey relationships, and adaptations.  His illustrations provide a second story as well as what the reefs look like.  As Chin describes coral reefs and the animals that live there, his illustrations tell the story of a girl who pulls the book off the library shelf and falls into this world of coral reefs.  She discovers all the facts about the animals and how they live.  Chin also provides information about the threat to coral reefs.  

“Information and fantasy collaborate in this imaginative introduction to coral reefs.” --BCCB

 

“Chin offers a colorful and inventive introduction to coral reefs.” --School Library Journal

 

"Chin, who pioneered this hybrid form of straightforward nonfiction text and fanciful pictures with Redwoods (2009), offers another a statement about the power of reading for an imaginative child with this appealing introduction to a complex world." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

 

"Chin’s detailed illustrations capture the dappled light of shallow water and the bright tropical colors and patterns in the featured flora and fauna…. Readers shouldn’t skip the information at the back, which explains the serious problem of coral bleaching due to global warming.” --Horn Book Magazine

 

"Chin’s latest book offers a straightforward text discussing coral reefs, while the well-composed illustrations create an imaginative narrative running in parallel.” --Booklist