Description

Learning becomes fun with this book about the animals of the ocean! In Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef, amazing artwork will inspire kids in classrooms and at home to appreciate the beauty and biology of coral reefs and world around us!

Brilliant artwork is the star of this oceanic counting book, based on the classic children's song "Over in the Meadow". Kids will sing, clap, and count their way among pufferfish that "puff," gruntfish that "grunt" and seahorses that "flutter," and begin to appreciate the animals in the ocean. And the clay art will inspire many a project.

Parents, teachers, giftgivers, and many others will find:

• captivating illustrations of sculptures fashioned from polymer clay.
• backmatter that includes further information about the coral reef and the animals of the ocean.
• music and song lyrics to "Over in the Ocean" sung to the tune "Over in the Meadow"!
• a book for young readers learning to count!

About the Author

Marianne Berkes has spent much of her life as a teacher, children's theater director and children's librarian. She knows how much children enjoy "interactive" stories and is the author of many entertaining and educational picture books that make a child's learning relevant. Reading, music, theater, gardening, and cooking have been a constant in Marianne's life. Her books are inspired by her love of nature. Marianne hopes to open kids' eyes to the magic found in our natural world. She now writes full time. An energetic presenter at schools and conferences, Marianne believes that "hands on" learning is fun. Her website is www.MarianneBerkes.com.

Jeanette Canyon received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Columbus College of Art & Design. Inspired by the philosophy and schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, she has enjoyed a distinguished career as an artist and arts educator of young children for over a decade. She now spends her time creating art for children's books, visiting schools, and sharing her creative spirit with others.

The whimsical, brightly colored and richly textured illustrations Jeanette Canyon creates for her books are relief sculptures fashioned from polymer clay with an occasional use of mixed media. She explains, "As a fine artist, I love to express myself with an array of colors, patterns and textures, and to make things with my hands—just as children do! The original art I create from polymer clay speaks to my love of both sculpting and painting." Unbounded imagination, a belief in unlimited possibilities and a celebration of creativity are the motivations that shape her innovative approach to the strikingly beautiful art she creates for children's books. Her artistic inspiration, coupled with great skill and talent are the ingredients to her spellbinding pictures that are loved and admired by children and adults alike.

Jeannette has published three books with Dawn Publications. Her first book, the bestselling Over in the Ocean, In a Coral Reef has won several awards, including the 2006 Learning Magazine Teacher's Choice Award. Her second book, City Beats (written by S. Kelly Rammell), was selected by the New York Public Library as one of their Top 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing. The highly anticipated Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme will be published in March 2007.