Over and Under the Waves — Content Guide for Parents

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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean!
Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away--over and under the waves.
SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it--and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life!
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness--and of our oceans in particular--is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems.
THE GORGEOUS UNDERWATER WORLD: This new book in the Over and Under series illuminates the magic and amazing biodiversity of the kelp forest by telling the story of one family's kayaking trip through a real-world ocean ecosystem. Lyrical prose and color-drenched illustrations will draw even the most reluctant readers into the world.
STRONG CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize learning about animal habitats/biomes in K-2 curriculums, while later grades address topics like food chains, conservation, and endangered species. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators.
FROM A FAVORITE AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR TEAM: Kate Messner and Chris Neal make nonfiction approachable and appealing! These two award-winning creators have received countless accolades and published books to critical acclaim, making them the perfect team to tackle any nonfiction topic.
Perfect for:
- Those who loved Over and Under the Snow and other books in the Over and Under series
- Fans of Kate Messner
- Lovers of the ocean and marine life
- Parents and grandparents seeking beautiful books to read aloud together
- Teachers, educators, and librarians seeking illustrated nonfiction books with STEM content
- Anyone seeking a distinctive gift for a child who loves animals or nature
Frequently asked questions
Is Over and Under the Waves appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No violence is depicted in the book. The narrative focuses on the exploration of the ocean's ecosystem without any instances of physical violence or harm. No scary content is present in the book. The narrative is described as gentle and lyrical, focusing on the wonders of the ocean without any frightening elements.
Does Over and Under the Waves have violence?
No violence is depicted in the book. The narrative focuses on the exploration of the ocean's ecosystem without any instances of physical violence or harm.
Does Over and Under the Waves have scary content?
No scary content is present in the book. The narrative is described as gentle and lyrical, focusing on the wonders of the ocean without any frightening elements.
Does Over and Under the Waves have religious themes?
No religious content is present in the book. The search results do not indicate any religious themes, practices, or beliefs within the narrative of 'Over and Under the Waves'.
Does Over and Under the Waves have racial/cultural content?
While the book features a tan-skinned narrator and diverse characters, race is not a central theme or plot point in the narrative. The focus is on the ocean ecosystem rather than racial discussions.
Does Over and Under the Waves have profanity?
No profanity is found in the book. The text is suitable for children and does not include any inappropriate language.
Does Over and Under the Waves have climate change?
The book emphasizes environmental awareness and the importance of preserving ocean ecosystems. It serves as a jumping-off point for discussions about nature and conservation, indicating a positive framing of climate themes.
Does Over and Under the Waves have sexual identity?
No sexual content is included in the book. The search results do not reference any sexual themes or discussions within the narrative of 'Over and Under the Waves'.
Does Over and Under the Waves have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or promote gender roles. It features a family structure but does not critique or explore gender expectations within the narrative.
Does Over and Under the Waves have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are present in the book 'Over and Under the Waves'. The search results focus on general information about LGBTQ+ representation in media and do not provide any relevant content from the book itself.



