  | Secret world of seahorses Author: Davies, Nicola | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
Visit the enchanting world of seahorses and learn about their habits, what threatens them, and how we can help them survive.
| Illustrator: | Smith, Lou Baker |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/26)
School Library Journal (+) (04/01/26)
The Hornbook (00/05/26)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 04/01/2026 K-Gr 4—Davies and Baker-Smith take readers on a vibrant journey to the ocean and ocean grass beds to learn about seahorses. The mixed media artwork is stunning, showing the many different sizes, shapes, and colors of seahorses as well as all the things that make the species so interesting: the males give birth to the babies; they can camouflage themselves by changing the color of their skin; they are turned into tourist trinkets like keychains or lucky charms. The text is straightforward and spaced to give readers time to examine the pictures and consider the ideas presented. Young readers will love the opportunity to become an expert on seahorses with a book that is so beautiful and compelling. Teachers will like this one too for its information on seahorses as well as the impact humans have had on seahorses and the oceans around the world. VERDICT Don't let readers miss this gorgeously illustrated picture book full of facts about seahorses; it's perfect for any library needing picture books about ocean animals.—Debbie Tanner - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Publishers Weekly - 04/06/2026 Vibrant mixed-media artwork and science-led storytelling introduce sea horses and the environmental pressures they face in this matter-of-fact tribute from Davies and Baker-Smith. Polished text foregrounds unique characteristics, marveling at how the animals survive by camouflaging and staying "very, very still. Only their eyes move." After establishing the subjects’ diminutive size and propensity for hiding, the book’s focus shifts to challenges based in human-driven destruction, zeroing in on how and why it’s so hard to spot the species in their natural environment ("Seahorses are hard to see because humans have taken so many of them from the oceans"). Rendering the multicolored seahorses with detail, mixed-media paintings mingle stamp-like textures and sun-print-reminiscent botanical silhouettes. The bracing portrait that emerges successfully rallies readers in support of seahorses. Human figures are portrayed with various skin tones. Back matter discusses seahorses and climate change. Ages 5-9. (May) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.
