Sea Life & Seashores: 40 Favorite Ocean Books for Preschool
It’s never too early to start instilling a love of nature. These 40 ocean books for preschoolers and toddlers are perfect for early learners. From counting fish to ocean facts, the books on this list will entertain and educate. Let’s dive into this list and find the perfect ocean book.
Ocean Adventure Books
The Lost Narwhal
By Tori McGee, Illustrated by Roksolana Panchyshyn
The story begins with a young narwhal playing with friends. Soon, the whale becomes turned around. The lost narwhal will make its way home using brains, bravery, and some help from fellow marine animals.
Don’t Worry, Little Crab
By Chris Haughton
This book includes bright bold colors and a small story about big bravery. What will little crab find under the waves?
Chirri & Chirra, Under the Sea
By Kaya Doi, Translated by David Boyd
A bicycling adventure moves under the water. The story soon turns to exploring unique ocean foods and enjoying delightful ocean entertainment.
Flotsam
By David Wiesner
This wordless adventure book demonstrates how the oceans connect us all.
The Octopus Escapes
By Maile Meloy, Illustrated by Felicita Sala
After being stolen from the ocean, an octopus demonstrates just how good they are at escaping.
Looking for more ideas? Explore these adorable octopus crafts.
Marine Life Books
Nerdy Babies: Ocean
By Emmy Kastner
Follow scuba-diving babies as they explore ocean ecosystems.
Touch & Explore: The Ocean
By Nathalie Choux
A sensory-rich reading experience with large textured features on each page. This is one of the highest-rated textured ocean board books available.
Deep Deep Sea
By Frann Preston-Gannon
Explore ocean life while practicing counting up to five!
Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef
By Marianne Berkes, Illustrated by Jeanette Canyon
Sing along to rhymes while counting and learning about sea creatures. The images in this book are absolute pieces of art.
The Big Book of the Blue
By Yuval Zommer
The Big Book of the Blue is an artistic take on an ocean nature guide. This book includes tons of information and colorful graphics. The perfect book for a game of “I Spy.”
Silly Sea Creatures
By Little Hippo Books
Another silicone texture board book. This one introduces several favorite sea creatures using alliteration.
In My Ocean
By Sara Gillingham, Illustrated by Lorena Siminovich
This board book’s pages are cut in layers for a multi-dimensional feel. You can follow the journey of a dolphin finger puppet through waves, coral reefs, past boats, and more.
Words of the World: Ocean Animals
By Motomitsu Maehara
I adore the board books in this series. Along with being multilingual, they also feature collage illustrations. Learn the names of sea creatures in English, Spanish, French, Hindi, Chinese (Mandarin), and Arabic, Esperanto.
- This series has a plant and flower book! Check it out on the favorite flower book list.
Hooray for Fish
By Lucy Cousins
This book is available in board book, hardcover, and paperback. You’ll enjoy the bold, colorful illustrations and rhyming text.
Extension activity: Play “I Spy” to seek and find all the different fish.
Never Touch the Sharks!
By Rosie Greening & Make Believe Ideas
A silicone textured board book for a sensory-rich storytime for shark lovers.
Hello, World! Ocean Life
By Jill McDonald
This introduction to ocean animals features colorful illustrations and gently introduces new vocabulary.
Deep in the Ocean
By Lucie Brunellière
This full-sized board book (approximately 13″ by 10″) is beautifully illustrated. It follows a team of explorers through all the layers of the ocean.
Hello, Ocean Friends
By Violent Remay & Duopress Labs
High-contrast board books are usually meant for the youngest readers. Older toddlers and preschoolers can still enjoy these books and use them to inspire creative art.
Ocean Books with Real Photographs
National Geographic: Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean
By Catherine D. Hughes
The perfect introduction to the ocean and marine life.
Explore My World: Coral Reefs
By Jill Esbaum
Explore all the bright, bold colors of the coral reefs.
Big Beautiful Ocean: A Photographic Exploration
By Kidsbooks Publishing
This is a quick and easy read with full0page photographs of familiar sea creatures.
My First Book of Ocean Animals: All About Marine Wildlife for Kids
By Ginjer L. Clarke
Along with photographs, this book includes facts about the ocean and sea animals.
First Animal Facts: Ocean
By Kidsbooks Publishing
This board book is a lovely introduction to favorite sea animals. The illustrations include a balance of real photos and bold, colorful graphics.
Hello, Fish!: Visting the Coral Reef
By Sylvia Earle
Learn about some of the more peculiar sea animals that live in coral reefs.
Seashore Books
We can learn about the ocean without ever entering the water. Explore 40 interesting beach facts for kids.
Out of the Ocean
By Debra Frasier
Out of the ocean and on the shore, what can you expect to find? The illustrations and photographs in this book play together to take readers on an exploration of the shoreline.
Wave
By Suzy Lee
Wave captures a child’s playful interaction with the waves at the beach. This wordless book includes lovely, minimalist illustrations.
- Inspire nature play with our favorite outdoor play books.
Seashells by the Seashore
By Marianne Berkes, Illustrated by Robert Noreika
This is a unique counting and collection book – watch the collection of shells gather.
Noah’s Seal
By Layn Marlow
Noah and his nana visit the beach, and quickly imagination takes over.
Ocean Conservation Books
Inspire a sense of protection for sea creatures with these ocean animal facts for kids.
The Mess That We Made
By Michelle Lord, Illustrated by Julia Blattman
Learn about how humans have affected the health of the oceans and what we can do to heal them.
Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles
By Philippe Cousteau & Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by Meilo So
This story features a team of child activists work together to protect baby seaturtles.
Mermaid McKenzie: Protector of the Deeps
By Charlotte Watson Sherman, Illustrated by Geneva Bowers
While playing in the ocean, a young girl sees how much trash is littering the ocean and shoreline. She teams up with others on a crusade to clean the beach.
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist
By Jess Keating, Illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
The true story of a woman who devoted her life to learning and sharing the truth about sharks.
Social Justice Book Lists
If Sharks Disappeared
By Lilly Williams
This book explores a world where sharks no longer exist. Readers will learn shark facts, including how essential sharks are in keeping our planet healthy.
Ocean! Waves for All
By Stacy McAnulty, Illustrated by David Litchfield
The playful text of this book, along with the adorable faces of the main character (the ocean!), is a friendly take on an earth science book for kids.
- Explore these amazing cloud books for more about the water cycle.
Social-Emotional Ocean Books
Oceans of Love
By Janet Lawler, Illustrated by Holly Clifton-Brown
Oceans of Love is a love poem from sea creature mamas to their babies.
Baby Beluga
By Raffi, Illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Baby Beluga is a classic book and song about a young whale interacting with its mother, friends, and environment. This book is available in paperback and as a board book.
The Pout-Pout Fish
By Deborah Diesen, Illustrated by Dan Hanna
The Pout-Pout Fish is a beloved story of a fish working through his feelings. Readers are introduced to a cast of ocean characters. This is available as a board book or in hardcover.
Swimmy
By Leo Lionni
Through watercolor illustrations, readers will learn about Swimmy and the school of fish Swimmy belongs to. This story includes themes of teamwork, community, and bravery.
Only One You
By Linda Kranz
This book features unique illustrations with painted rocks, actual photographs, and vibrant colors.
- Love colors and rainbows? Explore our list of favorite rainbow books.
Bubbles (A Narwhal & Jelly Book)
By Ben Clayton
Two playful buddies explore underwater bubbles while also managing the give and take of their friendship.
Shy Ones
By Simona Ciraolo
Follow (and find) a shy little octopus as they share their feelings and how they feel about socializing with others.
Why Should Children Learn About the Ocean?
Sharing ocean books with kids opens up a discussion about protecting the ocean and sea creatures. Children need learn about sea creatures and seashores to build a love for the ocean. Ocean books are one way that adults can inspire a lifelong dedication to ocean conservation.
Final Thoughts on Ocean Books for Kids
The ocean is a vast and mysterious place. And when you can’t reach the shore, reaching for one of these books is the next best thing. With this list of 40 ocean books for preschoolers and toddlers, you’ll find the perfect book for your shark lover, ocean lesson plan, or bedtime routine.
I recommend BookShop.org as an alternative to amazon. Each purchase on BookShop.org supports local and independent bookstores. You can explore my book lists for early learners or search for any books (new and used).
