Sea creatures take center stage in the following books that feature a true story about a sperm whale’s family, an encouraging story about a turtle who finds courage, and an interactive book featuring fun facts and paper-folding activities.
IN THE WORLD OF WHALES, by Michelle Cusolito and Jessica Lanan, Neal Porter Books, June 17, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
Plunge deep into the awe-inspiring true story of a freediver’s encounter with a newborn sperm whale and its family.
When a freediver (one who dives without the benefit of oxygen) slips underwater, he encounters a pod of sperm whales so close he can almost touch them. When he sees blood in the water, he wonders if there’s been an injury. When he comes even closer, what he finds instead is a moments-old calf, skin wrinkly and tail fluke still folded from the womb.
The calf’s family nudges it up to breathe; nudges it toward each member of the pod, by way of introduction; and then it happens—the mother nudges her child toward the diver, inviting him, too, to share in the family moment. —Synopsis provided by Neal Porter Books
NELLIE’S BIG SPLASH, by Cori Doerrfeld, Dial Books, March 25, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-7)
When Nellie the sea turtle hatched, she was on a beach surrounded by lots of her brothers and sisters. Soon all the other turtles joyfully ran into the ocean and swam away, but Nellie? She was too scared. The ocean was loud, it was deep, and it was unknown. She stayed on the safe, dry sand instead.
But when night starts to fall and it gets too dark and cold for a tiny little sea turtle on land, Nellie realizes that if she looked past the scary crashing waves, there’s actually a whole world out there, just waiting for her to jump in. —Synopsis provided by Dial Books
PAPERFOLD SEA CREATURES: 10 AMAZING PUNCH-OUT-AND-FOLD PAPER ANIMALS, by Megan Montague Cash, Workman Kids, June 17, 2025, Paperback, $12.99 (ages 7 and up)
Welcome to the magic of paperfolding—from flat piece of paper to 3D creature. No scissors or glue required.
Designed using interlocking tabs and only two simple types of folds, Paperfold Sea Animals is a new kind of paper craft that’s fun and mess-free for kids 7+. Punch out and construct an array of ten amazing models of animals from all corners of the ocean and its shores: a playful dolphin and calf, a regal walrus, a floating sea horse, a pelican gulping down a fishy meal, a sea turtle laying eggs in the sand, a pufferfish, a hammerhead shark, a prehistoric-looking anglerfish, an octopus, and a great blue whale.
Then, on the back of each instructional sheet is a Fact File card—a set of surprising facts about the featured animal: Did you know that walrus tusks never stop growing? Or that octopuses have three hearts? Or that pufferfish are highly toxic, yet are eaten as a delicacy in Japan? —Synopsis provided by Workman Kids
*This post is part of a larger summer reading list, which consists of recommendations but not individual book reviews.
Copyright © 2025 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
