Under The Sea

Author : Nor Azhar Ishak
Illustrator : Nor Azhar Ishak
Publisher's Review : by Peter Duke

Science educator, Nor Azhar Ishak has created an excellent book for children ranging in age from five to ten years. It contains facts on many of the creatures that live under the sea coupled with his colourful illustrations using the batik method of painting on fabric. There is one extra aspect of the book that fascinates children; each illustration is accompanied by a black and white replica that children can colour, with the full colour illustration of the facing page as inspiration!

The black and white picture is full of facts and the names of some of the creatures that abound on reefs as can be seen from this page. 

Azhar continues his story with more pictures of the reef and its inhabitants including beautiful but poisonous creatures and the shy sea horse. Ask a young reader how many sea horses she or he can spot in the next picture.

We have found that the next illustration amuses many young readers as the small mimic octopus changes its shape to confuse predators.

Then in a later illustration we see the clever way a shoal of young barracudas swim in a deep vortex to protect themselves from predators.

Azhar leaves the reef and discovers one of the giants of the sea, the whale shark. It looks dangerous but is it really?

In his final picture Azhar takes the reader deep down into the sea where sunlight does not penetrate. Here the reader discovers many curious creatures.

Azhar completes his journey under the sea with a short section on how he creates his art using the traditional batik painting method.

Summary: A picture book and a colouring book full of interesting facts about the creatures that live in the sea around us that will keep children occupied for hours.

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