Explore the remote Southern Ocean in this beautifully illustrated children’s book, for readers aged 9+.

Icy and mysterious, the Southern Ocean stretches across the bottom of the Earth, surrounding the continent of Antarctica. With its freezing waters, harsh winds and towering waves, until recently only the bravest explorers sailed its stormy seas. Today, tourists flock to see the ocean’s unique wildlife of penguins, seabirds and blue whales. But along with human visitors come human-made problems, including global warming, pollution and overfishing.

The oceans make up Earth’s biggest habitat. More than 70 per cent of Earth’s surface is covered by oceans and seas and they hold more than 97 per cent of Earth’s water supply. Oceans drive the world’s weather, provide half of the oxygen we breathe and provide food and livelihoods for more than a billion people.

Blue Worlds explores each of the world’s five oceans and major seas in detail, looking at the different features – from wildlife and weather to landscape – that make them all individual and unique. It also looks at the threats that they face, such as global warming, overfishing and pollution.

Part of a series which covers a wide range of subjects, this book provides information on the seas and oceans, what the ocean floor looks like, which animals and plants live in which parts of the oceans, what treasures can be found in the seas and what part humans have to play in the conservation of the oceans.;The book features a gatefold, which opens up to reveal the amazing variety of life in the oceans, from the seashore to the dark, murky depths of the ocean floor. In addition, there is a fun quiz for children to test their knowledge.

Renowned story teller, Kendall Haven brings his expertise as an oceanographer to the authorship of this third book in a four- book series intended for teachers to use with students in the upper elementary and middle school grades. It focuses on natural phenomena of the sea (tides, tsunamis, sea spouts, giant squid, killer whales) through the eyes of ancient myth and looks at the modern day science that explains each myth, using the interdisciplinary style of teaching. Haven, bringing his knowledge of the science of oceanography, integrates various scientific fields of oceanic study—Physical Oceanography, Geologic Oceanography, Biological and Chemical Oceanography, etc.—to further integrate science curricular areas with the study of myth. Students will not only be encouraged to appreciate the magic in myth and science, but to understand the commonality of all human experience with nature over all time. The book contains myths from several different cultures along with accompanying scientific explanations to use with students. Included are bibliographies, recommended Web sites, student projects, and discussion and activity ideas. Illustrations and diagrams enhance student interest. The book is to be used by teachers and librarians with students and by students in libraries and classrooms. Grades 4-8.