The Best Ocean Books for Kids

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

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

Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae

The Brave Little Crab by Beth Costanzo

You’re a Crab!: A Moody Day Book by Jenny Whitehead

Crab Activities:

• Watercoler House for Hermit Crab Puppets
• Paper Plate Crab Craft
• Handprint Hermit Crab

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:

• Shark Activities for Kids
• Crayon Resist Whale Shark Art Project
• Finding Shark Teeth with Kids

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

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:

• Paper Bag Sea Otter Craft
• Sea Otter Lunch Bag Puppet
• Sea Otter Paper Plate Craft

Seahorse Books

Sully the Seahorse: A book about self-esteem and resilience by Natalie Pritchard

Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle

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.

Explore these popular Ocean Virtual Field Trips for Kids