25+ Outstanding Ocean Books for Kids

Inside: Over 25 ocean books for kids – picture book fiction and non-fiction titles – that will get kids excited to learn more about life under the sea.

Learning about the ocean is super fun for kids thanks to the amazingly diverse nature of marine life and environments. Reading books about the ocean and the crazy collection of creatures that call it home is the perfect way to expand a child’s understanding of the Earth’s aquatic wonderlands.

The ocean books for kids in this list include both fun fictional stories about the sea and a range of sea creatures, and a big list of non-fiction, informational ocean books that have been cleverly constructed to teach kids a huge range of facts about the ocean and its inhabitants in fun, engaging ways. Both book forms are fabulous for helping children grasp new concepts at home or school.

25+ Best Ocean Books for Kids

Like all of the books in our Best Books for Kids collection, each book on this list is linked to both Amazon and The Book Depository (these are affiliate links) where you can find reviews and age recommendations for any titles you are not familiar with.

Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae: We LOVE this book!! It features some of the more “unique” sea creatures for each letter of the alphabet in a very fun and engaging manner. Kids will want to read it again and again! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson: The snail and the whale meet and are best friends from the start as they travel around together. We learn that being small doesn’t mean you can’t help when the snail helps the big ol’ whale get out of trouble. Such a charming story with an engaging storyline and beautiful illustrations! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins: This colorful read aloud is a must have for teachers and parents. Hooray for Fish! is a fun story with bright imagery and engaging story of a fish swimming around meeting new friends. From the creator of Maisy, kids are sure to enjoy this one. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

There’s a Sea In My Bedroom by Margaret Wild: David is afraid of the sea. Then one day David hears the sound of the sea trapped in a conch shell and it sparks his imagination. Will it help him learn that the sea will not hurt him? Available: The Book Depository

Room On Our Rock by Kate and Jol Temple: One clever story that can be read two different ways! Two seals are perched on a rock. When others need shelter, do they have to share it? When read from front to back, the seals believe there is definitely no room on their rock for others. But when the book is read from back to front, the seals welcome others to join them. Available: Amazon  |  The Book Depository

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey: The hysterical story of Brian, the piranha who loves bananas and all manner of fruits! His friends don’t understand at all – their sharp teeth are for eating meet and there is a lovely pair of legs dangling nearby!! And yes, I know piranhas don’t live in the ocean, but this is too good a fishy book not to include on the list! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen: The clever tale of a small, self-confident fish who has stolen a blue bowler hat from a big sleeping fish. He declares, “This hat is not mine. I just stole it,” rationalizing what he has done (“It was too small for him anyway”) as he swims to his hiding place.. unaware that the big fish is in quiet pursuit! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle: When Mrs. Seahorse lays her eggs, she does it on Mr. Seahorse’s belly! She knows he will take good care of them. While he swims waiting for the eggs to hatch, he meets some other amazing underwater daddies caring for their babies: Mr. Tilapia, who carries his babies in his mouth; Mr. Kurtus, who keeps his on his head; and Mr. Catfish, who is baby-sitting his young hatchlings. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Little Seahorse by Sheri Fink: This story about a little seahorse is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers! When the seahorse finds a mysterious object, he must learn to speak up and ask for help to bring it to his mother. He even gains self-confidence and makes new friends along the way. Available: Amazon

Moonlight Ocean by Elizabeth Golding: These lightbeam books are SOOOOO cool – grabbing kids attention from the start! Hold up a flashlight to see illustrations come to life with different sea creatures and more from under the ocean. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

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Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka: Follow along this story of two best friends that help a fellow crab, despite their differences. Kids will love this story featuring fun sea creatures all while learning the importance of helping others. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

A House for a Hermit Crab by Eric Carle: In this fun story of a hermit crab outgrowing his shell, children learn about the fascinating nature of marine life. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck: Toddlers and preschoolers will love this story – especially if they love the ocean! Encourage kids to use their imagination in this story of an undersea adventure… that turns out to be a boy in his bathtub who has a great imagination! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by Jessica Law: A fun, cumulative song with each verse introducing a new creature and its place in the food chain – the shark chases the eel, who chases the squid, who chases the snail… Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen: Mr Pout-Pout Fish is always very glum. A series of sea friends attempt to cheer him up in a lovely rhyming story. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Non-Fiction: Informational Books About Oceans

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia by DK: From the Arctic to the Caribbean, tiny plankton to giant whales, sandy beaches to the deepest depths, the world’s oceans are brought to life with astonishing images, simple graphics, and crystal-clear text explanations. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer: Why do octopuses have eight arms? Why do crabs run sideways? Are jellyfish made of jelly? Find the answers to these questions and many more in this beautifully illustrated book filled with interesting facts for kids to devour. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Who Would Win? Killer Whale Vs Great White Shark by Jerry Pallotta: What would happen if a great white shark and a killer whale met each other? What if they were both hungry? What if they had a fight? Who do you think would win? Part of the awesome Who Would Win? book series. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

RELATED: For more shark tales to sink your teeth into, check out our list of Kids Books About Sharks!

How to Hide an Octopus and Other Sea Creatures by Ruth Heller: For octopus-obsessed kiddos – engage them with this fun search and find book! Featuring fun text on each page and camouflaged creatures for them to find. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

A Swim Through the Sea by Kristin Joy Pratt: Learn all about the marine habitat with this fun introductory book for kids! Swim through the sea with the ocean alphabet, alliteration, and fun facts about the ocean. PERFECT for kids of all ages as it includes simple facts as well as more detailed explanations. It will become a new favorite for kids, teachers, and parents. Available: Amazon

The Sea Mammal Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta: Learn about dozens of sea mammals in this beautifully illustrated alphabet book. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Sea Book by Charlotte Milner: Head on a journey under the sea, through all of the zones of the ocean, exploring a wealth of marine creatures and their habitats – from coral reefs to underwater forests. Highlights important ecological issues, with tips on how children can help. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Life in a Coral Reef by Wendy Pfeffer: Coral reefs are beautiful underwater cities and this book explores a day in the life of a tiny coral city with everything from clown fish to spiny lobsters! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

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Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins: Half the earth’s surface is covered by water more than a mile deep, but most of this watery world is a mystery to us. Journey down, from the surface to the bottom of the sea, and along the way meet a jellyfish that flashes like a neon sign, creatures with teeth so big they can’t close their mouths, and a squid as long as a bus! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

How Deep is the Ocean? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld: The PERFECT book to go along with an ocean unit – this book guides kids deep into the ocean as they learn all about sea animals, the strangest of creatures, and even those that hunt them! Available: Amazon

Shark Lady by Jess Keating: Learn about how Eugenie Clark became known as the shark lady, what makes sharks remarkable, and how you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs by Kate Messner wraps the science of coral reefs around an inspiring biography of conservationist Ken Nedimyer. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino shares the story of famous undersea photographer and ocean researcher, Jack Cousteau, and his inventions for exploring the fantastic world beneath the waves. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

RELATED: For more fabulous biographies for kids, check out our big list of Nature Scientist Biographies.

If I Were a Whale by Shelley Gill: Learn all about whales in this fun rhyming book for toddlers. Explore whales found in our biggest oceans with colorful illustrations and fun facts to keep you learning along the way! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor by Joanna Cole: A class trip to the ocean! Finally, the kids in Ms. Frizzle’s class are going on an ordinary field trip, just like everyone else. But when the Friz drives onto the beach, across the sand, and straight into the ocean water without stopping, the kids know that they have once again embarked on one of Ms. Frizzle’s crazy class trips! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

RELATED: For more great books encouraging children to learn more about saving the ocean, and the Earth, check out our list of 35 Best Earth Day Picture Books for Kids.