Books About The Ocean · 1,277 titles considered

The Best The Ocean Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about the ocean? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Song for a Whale
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Ocean

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2016

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea!

By Ben Clanton · Book #1 in the Narwhal and Jelly series

A narwhal befriends a jellyfish and they go on adventures together.

64 pages· 825 words· Est. 13 min read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 14,077 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Song for a Whale

A deaf girl seeks to connect with a whale whose song goes unheard.

304 pages· 56,953 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 14,894 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Journey of the Pale Bear

A runaway boy must choose between his freedom and saving a captive polar bear.

291 pages· 49,102 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 528 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2007

Anna Hibiscus

By Atinuke, Lauren Tobia (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Anna Hibiscus series

A young girl in Africa dreams of seeing snow amidst her vibrant family life.

112 pages· 7,589 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,529 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2010

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

By Lauren Tarshis, Scott Dawson (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the I Survived series

A young boy struggles to survive on the Dakota prairie during a severe blizzard

104 pages· 10,470 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 20,409 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2015

The Thing About Jellyfish

A girl seeks the truth behind her friend's death, suspecting a jellyfish sting.

352 pages· 45,506 words· Est. 5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 46,394 ratings
$30.00Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2020

The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales

Two friends go on an underwater adventure to help a lost whale calf find its mother and the rest of the pod.

128 pages· 8,809 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 459 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 4–6 · 2019

Hello, Crabby!

By Jonathan Fenske · Book #1 in the Crabby series

A crab's day at the beach is filled with interactions with other sea creatures.

48 pages· 724 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 499 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Voyage to Magical North

A girl with a forgotten past joins a pirate quest to a mythical land, risking sea monsters and secrets.

320 pages· 73,104 words· Est. 10 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 774 ratings
$27.99Save 5%
Board Book · Ages 4–6 · 2020

Big Shark, Little Shark

A big shark and a little shark try to catch fish for a snack.

32 pages· 125 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 499 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
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Browse by age

The Ocean Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about the ocean for the youngest readers and listeners.

Let's Dive into the Ocean

Ages 6–8 · 2019

Dive into ocean depths and uncover hidden wonders.

The Whale in My Swimming Pool

Ages 2–6 · 2015

A boy finds a whale in his pool and must find a way to share the space.

Swashby and the Sea

Ages 4–7 · 2020

A sea-loving captain's notes to noisy neighbors get hilariously altered by the beach.

Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee

Ages 3–7 · 2000

A playful whale sends Mr. Magee and his dog flying. How will they return to the sea?

I'm a Narwhal

Ages 2–5 · 2019

Dive into the sea and discover the mysterious life of a narwhal.

A House for Hermit Crab

Ages 5–8 · 1987

A crab discovers new friends and adventures await beyond the past.

Pop-up Ocean

Ages 0–3 · 2018

Explore the ocean's wonders in a vibrant pop-up adventure.

Together

Ages 0–3 · 2016

A sea otter cherishes every moment with its parent.

Clifford and the Big Storm

Ages 0–3 · 1995

Discover the adventures of a giant, lovable red dog.

O Is for Ocean

Ages 0–3 · 2020

Explore the ocean's wonders from A to Z.

Never Touch a Shark

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Dare to touch the untouchable in this ocean adventure.

¡Hurra, Pececito!

Ages 0–3 · 2005

Join a vibrant underwater adventure with Little Fish and friends.

View all the ocean board books
Browse by age

The Ocean Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about the ocean for preschool and elementary-age readers.

To the Sea

Ages 3–6 · 2015

A boy befriends a lost blue whale and embarks on a journey to return him home.

Off & Away

Ages 4–7 · 2018

Jo must conquer her fear of the sea to deliver mail and discover new adventures.

The Sandcastle That Lola Built
Sale price
$1799

The Sandcastle That Lola Built

Ages 3–5 · 2018

Can Lola and her new friends save their sandcastle from the waves?

The Blue Whale

Ages 4–8 · 2015

Discover the giant blue whale's world through engaging facts and vivid comparisons to everyday objects.

Smart About Sharks

Ages 5–9 · 2016

Uncover the mysteries of sharks, the sea's most misunderstood predators.

The Pout-Pout Fish

Ages 3–6 · 2008

A grumpy fish lives in the ocean and spreads dreary feelings to those around him, until he meets a friendly fish who changes his life.

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles

Ages 4–8 · 2016

A mysterious invitation leads to unexpected friendships.

The Sea Knows

Ages 4–8 · 2020

Uncover the ocean's secrets and its mysterious creatures in a lyrical journey beneath the waves.

Whole Whale
Sale price
$1999

Whole Whale

Ages 3–6 · 2021

Can 100 animals squeeze into one book? Find out in this playful tale.

Nugget & Fang

Ages 4–7 · 2013

Can a shark and minnow defy nature and become friends?

Ocean Meets Sky

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A boy sails to find where the ocean meets the sky.

How Long Is a Whale?
Sale price
$1495

How Long Is a Whale?

Ages 3–5 · 2017

Discover the surprising lengths of underwater creatures in a fun, educational journey.

Browse by age

The Ocean Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about the ocean for developing and independent readers.

Trouble at Trident Academy

Ages 6–9 · 2012

Two mermaid friends navigate the challenges of school and friendship in an underwater city

Dragonbreath
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

Dragonbreath

Ages 8–10 · 2009

A young dragon named Danny goes on an underwater adventure with his friend Wendell to learn about the ocean for a school paper, encountering various sea creatures along the way.

Lalani of the Distant Sea

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A girl braves a perilous sea quest to save her mother and her future.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap
Sale price
$699

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

Ages 8–12 · 2003

A girl discovers she's half mermaid and dives into a quest to find her father.

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

Ages 14–18 · 2020

A pirate and a lady defy fate and captors on the high seas.

Clark the Shark: Lost and Found

Ages 4–7 · 2016

A young shark named Clark gets lost at the farmers' market during a field trip.

The Black Pearl

Ages 10–13 · 1967

A legendary pearl brings fortune and a haunting curse.

The Shark Report

Ages 6–8 · 2020

A boy befriends a shark and learns about its habits and characteristics, but their friendship is put to the test when a deep-sea fisherman comes to town.

Young Captain Nemo

Ages 9–12 · 2019

A young adventurer battles oceanic threats with a submarine and friends.

Oliver and the Sea Monkeys

Ages 7–10 · 2013

A boy sails to rescue his parents, facing sea monkeys and a wicked captain.

Carnival in a Fix

Ages 7–10 · 2016

A young girl helps her friends solve a mystery at a funfair on the moon.

Edison

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Two mice dive into the ocean's depths to uncover a hidden treasure with unexpected truths.

Keep exploring
Books about marine lifeBooks about jellyfishBooks about sea creaturesBooks about choosing cheerinessBooks about climate changeBooks about communicationBooks about coping with deathBooks about deafness

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