TINY FLOATING CORAL

Massive coral reefs grow from tiny beginnings.

In this entry in her Start Small, Think Big series, Auld describes the life cycle of coral, from its beginning as a microscopic organism, through its growth and development as part of a colony and later a reef (specifically the Great Barrier Reef, which is visible from space). The main narrative, set in short bolded sentences on appropriately colorful spreads, is a first-person account from the point of view of a single coral polyp, which describes its development from tiny planula to being part of a reef, its feeding and spawning, and the current threats it faces, including warming waters, pollution, and invasive crown-of-thorns starfish. Further information appears in two smaller type styles. The life cycle of coral is complex and quite different from that of creatures with which children may be more familiar. Auld has done a good job of explaining coral simply and building young readers’ understanding of their life cycles, including the algae that live inside the coral polyps and help supply food, and the neighboring corals that together form the stony reefs that provide homes for many other sea creatures. A final four-page foldout includes a map and a diagram of the life cycle. Scarlatte’s accurate, detailed images deserve careful attention; the drawings and maps and their clear labels add to the informational value of this clever presentation.

Educationally sound and engaging.