Oceans of Possibilities: Lighthouses

Faraway Things written by Dave Eggers

Lucian enjoys searching the beach below his home for treasure, but after becoming attached to a mysterious cutlass he meets its owner, who offers something greater for its return.

Caspian Finds a Friend written by Jacqueline Véissid

Caspian lives alone in a lighthouse surrounded by the cold gray-blue sea, longing for a friend; so one day he puts a message in a bottle and floats it away in the sea–but the friend who finds it is someone completely unexpected.

Izzy and Frank written by Katrina Lehman

Izzy loved her island. But most of all, she loved Frank the seagull. Izzy and Frank spend blue-sky-sunny days and grey-cloud-rainy days roaming and playing by the sea. But when Izzy has to leave her lighthouse and island life behind to move to the city, she also has to say goodbye to Frank. The city is crowded and noisy, and Izzy misses the sand and the sea. Can Izzy find a place for herself in her new home? And will she ever see Frank again?

Hello Lighthouse written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Explores the life of one lighthouse as it beams its message out to sea through shifting seasons, changeable weather, and the tenure of its final keeper.

Gracie the Lighthouse Cat written by Ruth Brown

When Gracie discovers that her kitten is missing from their lighthouse home, she goes out into a terrible storm to rescue him.

Lighthouse Christmas written by Toni Buzzeo

Christmas is two days away, but Frances and her little brother Peter, who recently moved with their father to a lighthouse on an isolated island, fear that they will have no treats, no music, and no visit from Santa. Includes facts about the Flying Santa Service.

How would you design a lighthouse? https://ssec.si.edu/how-would-you-design-lighthouse

How to make a paper lighthouse: https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/paper-crafts/paper-lighthouses.htm

Printable lighthouse model: https://www.thetoymaker.com/Toypages/87Lighthouse/87Lighthouse.html

Oceans of Possibilities: Walrus

Walrus Song written by Janet Lawler

Lively artwork brings to life the many wonders of being a walrus as it plays hide-and-seek with a friend, lounges on an ice floe and demonstrates an impressive range of sounds. Includes walrus facts.

The Walrus and the Caribou written by Maika Harper

When the earth was new, words had the power to breathe life into the world. But when creating animals from breath, sometimes one does not get everything right on the first try! Based on a traditional Inuit story passed forward orally for generations in the South Baffin region of Nunavut, this book shares with young readers the origin of the caribou and the walrus–and tells of how very different these animals looked when they were first conceived.

Lottie & Walter written and illustrated by Anna Walker

Lottie secretly knows there is a shark in the pool waiting to eat her, until her new walrus friend, Walter, helps her to conquer her fear.

Seb and the Sun written and illustrated by Jami Gigot

Seb is determined to find some light for his sleepy coastal town. It is so far north, the sun does not shine in winter and the days are cold, dreary, and dark as night. So Seb embarks on a mission to find the sun. Along with his friend Walrus, he makes a plan, collects supplies, and rows far out to sea. Will Seb be able to find the sun and bring its light and warmth back to his town?

Where’s Walrus?  and Penguin? Written by Stephen Savage

When Walrus and his friend Penguin escape from the zoo, Will the zookeeper must find them.

Nonfiction

Exploring the World of Seals and Walruses written by Tracy C. Read

Introduces the physical characteristics, family life, and behaviors of seals and walruses.

Paper walrus craft: https://iheartcraftythings.com/paper-walrus-craft-for-kids.html

Paper plate walrus craft: https://www.mymommystyle.com/paper-plate-walrus-craft//

How big is a walrus? https://deannajump.com/just-how-big-walrus-anyway/

Oceans of Possibilities: Seagulls

Smug Seagull written and illustrated by Maddie Frost

A smug seagull that loves swiping beach-goers’ snacks gets a taste of his own medicine from a patient crab.

Izzy and Frank written by Katrina Lehman

Izzy loved her island. But most of all, she loved Frank the seagull. Izzy and Frank spend blue-sky-sunny days and grey-cloud-rainy days roaming and playing by the sea. But when Izzy has to leave her lighthouse and island life behind to move to the city, she also has to say goodbye to Frank. The city is crowded and noisy, and Izzy misses the sand and the sea. Can Izzy find a place for herself in her new home? And will she ever see Frank again?

Seagull & Sea Dragon written and illustrated by Sydni Gregg

Seagull flies through the sky and Sea Dragon swims in the ocean, each wondering about the other’s home until they meet and discover their worlds are more similar than they imagined.

Little Puffin wants to enjoy a walk in the nice fresh air. But Small Gull, Tiny Gull, and Baby Gull follow him everywhere and do everything Little Puffin does. How will Little Puffin stop them from playing this annoying game?

Don’t Copy Me! Written by Johnathan Allen

Little Puffin wants to enjoy a walk in the nice fresh air. But Small Gull, Tiny Gull, and Baby Gull follow him everywhere and do everything Little Puffin does. How will Little Puffin stop them from playing this annoying game?

Seagulls Soar written by April Pulley Sayre

Did you know that seagulls live in habitats ranging from shores to farms to lakes, an even the desert? Or that they are omnivores, eating everything from crabs and clams to mice and blueberries? Or that these clever birds can learn new skills? With musical rhyme and enchanting illustrations, Seagulls Soar will help you see seagulls in a whole new light.

Paper plate seagull: https://www.localfunforkids.com/home/preschool-summer-bird-craft-paper-plate-seagull.html

Oceans of Possibilities: Seals

Noah’s Seal written and illustrated by Layn Marlow

While Nana fixes their sailboat, which will take them out to sea where the seals live, Noah builds his very own seal friend on shore until a storm blows in and he must take cover.

What’s That Noise? Written by Naomi Howarth

Magnus the Arctic seal wakes up one early morning, puzzled by a strange, rumbling sound. What’s that noise? Hare, Owl, and Polar Bear don’t have any idea, but Walrus has a good suggestion: it’s Magnus’ rumbling tummy! After a yummy feast the friends all settle down to sleep–but suddenly there’s another rumbling sound. What’s that noise?

Splash! a little book about bouncing back written by Maria Van Lieshout

Splash the seal is having a very bad day and just wants to be left alone, but after telling the sun it need not rise he fears it really cannot reach the sky, and his efforts to help it bounce up lift his own spirits.

Spot the Seal Around the World written by Sarah Khan

From African elephants to Alaskan Eskimos, there’s so much to see around the world! With a hidden seal to find in every scene and fun facts to discover throughout, step inside for hours of entertainment. Look for hidden objects as you work your way through every spread, taking in all the sights.

See What a Seal Can Do written by Christine Butterworth

A lyrical portrait of seal characteristics and life explains how seals appear to be slow and sleepy creatures on land but are powerful, graceful and dynamic animals under the water who cleverly outmaneuver predators and skillfully catch fishy dinners.

Nonfiction

A Seal Named Patches written by Roxanne Beltran

Scientists Roxanne Beltran and Patrick Robinson set off on a polar adventure, traveling to Antarctica to study the lives of Weddell seals. By finding Patches, a wily seal they’ve been tracking since birth, they’ll be able to learn a lot about how much the seals get to eat and how many pups they raise. A Seal Named Patches takes young readers to the very bottom of the globe, where they meet the animals that live in cold, icy conditions. Through photos and real-life stories, young readers will learn about how scientists do fieldwork, the challenges of researching animals in harsh climates, what it’s like to fly in a helicopter over Antarctica.

Egg carton seal craft: https://patchworkparent.blogspot.com/p/kids-craft.html

Polar habitat diorama: https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/polar-habitat-diorama.html