I love this book. With so much happening to our world, with global warming and other ways that us humans are disrupting our world, this book is a great instrument to teach children why we need to keep our oceans healthy.

Who Needs a Reef?
A Coral Ecosystem
by Karen Patkau
Random House of Canada Limited
Tundra Books
Children's Nonfiction


I love these Karen Patkau books. They're well written--lean sentences with zip:



"Crunch, crunch, crunch." A parrotfish munches on the algae-covered corral. Sea snails graze on it, too....
A triggerfish pokes at a starfish that is prying open a clam.


The books are also well illustrated and explained. How does a coral reef form? What kinds of plants and animals thrive in this peculiar yet teeming ecosystem? How do nutrients and energy flow through the system? What kind of climate impacts it? How do reefs protect beaches and harbors? What can damage a reef? How do reefs improve human life?




The books also include a glossary and further explanations for the inhabitants that occupy the coral reef ecosystem.



These books are sure to enthrall the special science nerd near and dear to your heart in your home or classroom.

Who Needs a Reef by Karen Patkau is the first book in this ecosystem series that Inhave read. I received this book free for the purpose of providing an honest review. The book is a children's book with beautifully illustrated information about reefs, how they are formed, etc.

This book gave a great introduction to coral reefs and their many uses both to animals, humans, environment. I found the book very informative and I learned quite a bit I didn't know such as how coral reefs help protect shore lines, and help develop natural harbors and beaches. Many children will find the facts and illustrations both exciting and imaginative.

Some reviewers seem bothered that the book didn't go more into the need to preserve the reefs, but it is an introduction for children .... Not all fish are listed, nor are all of the possible medical uses of some of the living creatures ... It's an intro, not a complete adult guide. I think the book is great considering the age group it is intended for.

I posted this review on my blog at:
https://moonshineartspot.blogspot.com/2017/02/review-who-needs-reef-coral-ecosystem.html?m=1

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