Seagrass Dreams

Seagrass Dreams (A Counting Book) by Kathleen Hanes and Chloe Bonfield is a lovely sea creature book that would be kindergarten age appropriate. The book has information on the sea grass habitat that is interesting but may be too much for a younger child’s attention span. As for me as an adult it was filled with fascinating facts, many that I did not know.

Seagrass Dreams’ other strength is the incredible illustrations. It is unlike any other counting book that I have seen. Simply breathtaking, as if you are diving down to the seagrass. The photos at the back are just an added bonus to the one of a kind book.

This book had a idea but I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations used and I found them to be a bit dark in colour. The facts section and map of the locations of the different creatures at the back was a really nice touch. Three and a half stars rounded up to four stars for this one from me.

What an engaging counting book! Beautifully descriptive language and large, colorful mixed-media illustrations describe the animals living in seagrass meadows. Readers learn why these meadows are important and get an intriguing glimpse of animal life. Back matter, which includes a map, extra information about each animal, and a glossary, is interesting and informative. This is a book of beauty and substance.

This is an interesting book... This is not the book you would necessarily want if you are looking to reinforce numbers (unless you have an older child still learning numbers). The illustrations are beautiful and the information about marine life in the seagrass is interesting. I do feel the book was a little too predator focused to be appropriate for toddlers and young children.

The illustrations were beautiful and are what drew me to this book in the first place. I liked that there were photos of the sea creatures towards the back of the book to complement the illustrations. The boundaries of the Collector Urchins didn't seem distinct enough for a counting book but I loved all of the others.

I became confused about the target audience as I made my way through the book. After all, we're talking about a counting book here so our audience is maybe 3, 4 or 5 years old? Please keep in mind that all of my questions and comments from here on relate to thinking of this book as being targeted towards 3 to 5 year olds.

The level of information conveyed seemed at too high a level for kids learning to count to 10. Perhaps the same sort of information could have been written in a more age appropriate way? I could see primary school age kids using some of the information found in this book for school projects but at the same time, what primary school child is going to want to open a book that teaches you to count to 10?

While I personally love glossaries I question why words are being used in a counting book that kids learning to count wouldn't already know. I also think some of the explanations in the glossary needed a glossary of their own. Do kids who are learning to count to 10 know what an organism or crustacean are?

I waited for an explanation to go with the Chocolate Chip Sea Star that didn't come so I expect there to be a series of conversations between parents and kids ending up somewhere in this territory... "But why can't you eat the chocolate chips?!"

I received an ARC from NetGalley (thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Seagrass Press for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback. It really is a beautiful book. I just think it would have worked better if either the illustrations were paired with simpler explanations for a counting book or if the counting part was scrapped so the book could be gorgeous illustrations accompanying interesting facts.

This book is disguised as a counting book, but it contains some very important information and facts. Readers will learn the importance of seagrass and about ten different marine animals that live in the ocean floor by the seagrass. It showed what the animals do swimming near or in the seagrass. Because this is a counting book it starts with one great barracuda, then two yellow stingrays and so on. The language is descriptive and the large, mixed media illustrations describe the animals living in seagrass meadows. The one drawback I saw was that the illustrations were often dark and so it was harder to see the animals, but it would be dark underwater, so it made them more realistic. The back of the book included extra information about each animal, a glossary and a map which could also lead to further investigation. This book could be read to young children or used to introduce the sea, specifically the seagrass meadows with older children. A good book for school libraries.

Gorgeous, inspiring images throughout a number book that can be appreciated on so many levels. This book will grow with your child. Richly hued Illustrations, actual photographs, quick short tips about each species to see all while learning to count. Recommended.