More Fish Faces is the second kids book about fish, marine life, and the protection of their habitats from diver, underwater photographer, and author Tam Warner Minton. With its stunning up-close portraits of tropical reef fish from around the world, More Fish Faces holds kids’ attention while also educating them about the consequences human actions have on sea life.
I received a free copy of More Fish Faces for review purposes and I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own and I am not required to post a positive review.
As I’ve written about recently, we love to do literature-based science studies in our home. From Earth Day books to the environment and conservation, we find that fun, hands-on books offer us a more fulfilling and lasting experience than we get from traditional textbooks.
We are much more likely to connect with and remember the topics we study when they’re given to us in the context of a story or as a result of inquiry.
More Fish Faces: More Photos & Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish, Tam Warner Minton’s latest deep dive into the vast and fascinating ecosystems living under the sea, gives us both.
It is the story of common and lesser known fish including sharks, puffers, angelfish and eels, and the cool ways they survive underwater. For example, did you know that eels have very sharp teeth that can crunch through bone? I thought it was sharks we had to look out for, but it turns out eels are also ruthless predators.
What’s amazing is how extremely close and personal Minton must have gotten with these creatures to capture her amazing underwater photos—there was definitely no social distancing going on in these colorful photo shoots.
Little Fish, Big Fish
Continuing the work she began in her previous book, All Fish Faces (available from Amazon and B&N), Minton introduces children to some of her favorite fish, big and small. From tiny Anemonefish right up to the Whale Shark, More Fish Faces gives readers a clearer understanding of the diversity of life under the sea.
Each creature has a unique role to play in its ecosystem, a fact we’re often blinded to. Apex predators like sharks and crocodiles “keep animal populations healthy…so there’s enough food to go around…”, while other fish, such as the French Angel, pair up with creatures from other species, like the Hawksbill Sea Turtle to go hunting together. My kids adore learning random fun facts like these!
An Educational Picture Book
These days, a kids book about fish wouldn’t be complete without some mention of climate change and the threat it poses to their habitats. Minton has witnessed these devastating effects firsthand and has dedicated a bulk of the book’s text to a discussion of the steps kids and their families can take to help protect our oceans.
From recycling and reusing, to choosing sustainable seafood, from unplugging devices to being aware of the types of products that can cause damage to coral reefs, More Fish Faces offers a multitude of practical steps we can take to help our scaly friends. I find my kids are much more likely to get motivated about taking these kinds of actions when they understand and care about the consequences. Minton successfully ties these actions to specific benefits for marine life, making for a great teachable moment for kids and parents alike.
If you are looking for non-fiction books about fish for preschoolers or elementary-aged kids, More Fish Faces is a great one to add to your list.
Get Your Copy Today
To get a 20% discount on your copy of More Fish Faces, buy directly from Minton by emailing her. Learn more.
Sophie Agbonkhese is a writer, homeschooling mother of four, and a recovering overachiever (who occasionally relapses). She is the founder of My Cup Runs Over, a site dedicated to helping busy women simplify and enrich their lives. When she’s not writing or debugging websites, Sophie spends her time reading, dancing, bullet journaling, reading, gardening, listening to audiobooks, and striving fruitlessly to have a clean house for at least five minutes.