Explore this collection of 50+ Ocean Books for Kids! Handpicked children’s books highlighting all the beautiful creatures of the sea for your child to discover. Plus ocean activity ideas to do after you read the ocean books.
Let’s dive into the ocean with these colorful books!
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Ocean Books for Kids
As a mom and teacher here I’m sharing with you my favorite ocean themed books to read with your child. I’ve classified the books into various ocean animals like fish, whales, sharks, and more to easily find what your child is interested in at this moment.
You can use our Table of Content for quick book browsing.
Each of the ocean book categories also has ocean themed activities to go with the books as well. Perfect for book extension or a book club activity. You could even host an ocean playdate!
Start your journey to the ocean with a few Ocean Virtual Field Trips!
A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by Jessica Law
Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae
Deep in the Ocean by Lucie Brunellière
A Dive into the Deep by Tessa Pfeifer
Hello, World! Ocean Life by Jill McDonald
Over and Under the Waves by Kate Messner
The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor by Joanna Cole
Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? by Steven J. Simmons
Ocean Themed Activities for Kids:
- Beach Themed Muffin Tin Syllable Game
- Sight Word Game with Sand and Seashells
- 38 Ocean Themed Activities for Kids
- Virtual Field Trip to the Ocean
- 10 Ocean Activities for Summer Fun
- Host an Ocean Themed Playdate
- Under the Sea Paper Plate Craft
- Ocean Sand Art Project
- Ocean Animal Coffee Filter Craft
- Visit your Local Aquarium
Crab Books
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
The Brave Little Crab by Beth Costanzo
You’re a Crab!: A Moody Day Book by Jenny Whitehead
Crab Activities:
Coral Reef Books
On Kiki’s Reef by Carol Malnor
Coral Reefs by Gail Gibbons
The World of Coral Reefs by Erin Spencer
Corel Reef Activities
- Coral Reef Activities for Preschool
- Coral Reef Art Project
- Coral Reef Printmaking Project
- Light Up Reef Craft
Fish Books
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
Only One You by Linda Kranz
Fish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup
Fish Eyes: A Book You Can Count On by Lois Ehlert
The Secret Life of Fish: The Astonishing Truth about our Aquatic Cousins by Doug Mackay-Hope
Fish Activities:
- Fish Art and Science Craft Idea
- Swimming Fish Letter Game
- Paper Plate Fish Craft
- Fish Themed Sight Word Game
Octopus Books
Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger
The Octopus Escapes by Maile Meloy
Octopus Escapes Again! by Laurie Ellen Angus
Octopus Opposites by Stella Blackstone
Octopus Activities:
- Fine Motor Octopus Craft
- Cardboard Bubble Wrap Octopus Craft
- Easy Paper Octopus Craft
- Octopus “O” Craft
- Paper Plate Octopus Craft
Shark Books
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
Save the Sharks by Bethany Stahl
Sharks by Gail Gibbons
Want more? Explore our large collection of Shark Books for Kids!
Shark Activities:
Seashell Books
What Lives in a Shell? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Seashells: More Than a Home by Melissa Stewart
It’s a Seashell Day by Dianne Ochiltree
The Beachcomber’s Companion by Anna Marlis Burgard
A Shell Is Cozy by Dianna Hutts Aston
The Mother’s Day Shell by Amelia Grantham
Seashell Activities:
- Watercolor Seashell Craft
- Alphabet Seashell Game
- Sight Word Seashell Game
- Rainbow Seashell Art Project
- Storytelling Seashells
- Shell Necklace Craft
Ocean Sea Life Books for Kids
Seashells, Crabs and Sea Stars: Take-Along Guide by Christiane Kump Tibbitts
Spencer and Vincent, the Jellyfish Brothers by Tony Johnston
Think of an Eel: Read and Wonder by Karen Wallace
Artie the Pufferfish: A book about a fish’s creative journey by Diana Mulder
A Dolphin’s Wish: How YOU Can Help Make a Difference and Save Our Oceans by Trevor McCurdie
Save the Ocean (Save the Earth) by Bethany Stahl
Ocean Animal Activities:
- Paper Chalk Art Jellyfish Craft
- Suncatcher Jellyfish Craft
- Bouncy Ball Stamped Pufferfish Kids Craft
Sea Otter Books
Good Night, Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann
If You Take Away the Otter by Susannah Buhrman-Deever
Together (Emma Dodd’s Love You Books) by Emma Dodd
Sea Otter Activities:
Seahorse Books
Sully the Seahorse: A book about self-esteem and resilience by Natalie Pritchard
Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
Amazing Red Seahorses: Facts For Kids by Aaliyah Aaberg
SeaHorse: Fun Facts on Water Animals for Kids by Michelle Hawkins
Seahorse Activities:
- Seahorse Craft for Kids with Lacing Practice
- Watercolor Seahorse Craft
- Seahorse Art Project
- Watercolor Stencil Seahorse Art Project
Sea Turtle Books
One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies
Follow the Moon Home by Philippe Cousteau
Sea Turtles by Gail Gibbons
Little Turtle and the Changing Sea by Becky Davies
Poky, the Turtle Patrol by Diana Kanan
June Moon by Kathleen Souza
Into the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Sea Turtle Journey – a Smithsonian Oceanic Collection by Lorraine A. Jay
Sea Turtle Activities:
- Sea Turtle Life Cycle Flextangles
- Oil Pastels Sea Turtle Art Project
- Bubble Wrap Design Sea Turtle Craft for Kids
- Sea Turle Bookmark Corner
- DIY Sea Turtle Stamp Art Project
- Sea Turtle Sun Catcher
Whale Books
Whales by Gail Gibbons
The Heart of a Whale by Anna Pignataro
If I Were a Whale by Shelley Gill
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson
Rory: An Orca’s Quest For The Northern Lights by Sarah Cullen & Carmen Ellis
Breathe by Scott Magoon
The World of Whales: Get to Know the Giants of the Ocean by Darcy Dobell
Baby Beluga by Raffi
The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond
I’m a Narwhal (Little Golden Book) by Mallory Loehr
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton
The Lost Narwhal by Tori McGee
Whale Activities for Kids
- Egg Carton Whale Craft
- Popsicle Sticks Whale Craft
- Watercolor Whale Craft
- Easy Origami Whale
- Whale Paper Craft
Non-Fiction Ocean Books
Marine Biologists on a Dive (Kid Scientist) by Sue Fliess
The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts! by Bethanie & Josh Hestermann
Ultimate Oceanpedia by Christina Wilsdon
Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series) by Yuval Zommer
Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs by Kate Messner
Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea by Julia Rothman
Look Inside Seas and Oceans by Megan Cullis
Secrets Of The Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist by Evan Griffith
Explore Earth’s Five Oceans by Bobbie Kalma
The Ultimate Collection of Ocean Themed Books and Activities for Kids
There are so many great books about the ocean for kids, many are recently published. Which one on this list are you planning to read first with your child?
Did I miss your favorite ocean book? Please tell me in the comments below which is your favorite!
For more book themed fun with your child, be sure to sign up for our free Virtual Book Club for Kids.
You may also enjoy these ocean themed activities for your child…
Explore these popular Ocean Virtual Field Trips for Kids
