Written and edited by Kate Baker.

Published by Big Picture Press, 2016.

The publishers Big Picture Press are renowned for their high quality, highly desirable non-fiction and Secrets of the Sea is a stunning addition to any bookshelf or coffee table. It is beautifully and richly illustrated by Eleanor Taylor, a graduate from the Royal College of Art, who delights us with unfamiliar details and unexpected perspectives. There are close ups, cross sections, views from under a microscope, and illustrations of deep sea creatures that have rarely been seen by humans.

The book is divided into five sections and each one transports you to a different part of the sea: the shallows, the coastal kelp forests, coral reefs, deeper open waters, and the hidden depths of the ocean. A fascinating array of animals and micro-organisms are depicted. For each creature there is a full page, full colour illustration and an accompanying page of text. Here we are told the animal’s Latin name and its size. Then there’s a paragraph of information followed by three ‘wow’ facts.

Children will be captivated and intrigued by the illustrations and fascinated by the facts. There’s a wealth of exciting information that they’ll want to share with their friends and family and I can see that there will be lots of excited “Did you know…?” conversations prompted by this book.

Secrets of the Sea is a book to pore over and enjoy, and one which can be returned to again and again.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 7+

Thank you to Big Picture Press for sending me this book to review.