Learning about the ocean is a lot of fun for kids because there are so many different kinds of marine animals and environments. Reading books about the ocean and the weird and wonderful animals that live there is the best way for a child to learn more about this underwater wonderland.

Among the list of ocean books for kids, there are both fun stories about the sea and a wide variety of sea creatures, as well as informational books that teach kids about the ocean and its people in fun and interesting ways. Both types of books are great for helping kids learn new things at home or school.

Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae

Love this book! It shows some of the more "unique" sea creatures for each letter of the alphabet in a fun and interesting way. Kids will want to read it over and over again!

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

During their journey, the snail and the whale become best friends. They meet and become close from the start. In this story, we learn that small doesn't mean you can't help. The snail helps the whale get out of trouble. Such a lovely story with a great story line and beautiful pictures.

Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins

Whether you're a teacher or a parent, this book is a must-have. In Horray for Fish!, a fish swims around meeting new friends. It has bright pictures and a fun story about how the fish meets new people. From the same person who made Maisy, kids are sure to enjoy this one.

There’s a Sea In My Bedroom by Margaret Wild:

David is scared of the sea. A conch shell is filled with water, and David hears the sound. It makes him think. The sea won't hurt him.

Room On Our Rock by Kate and Jol Temple:

One clever story that can be read two ways! Seals are sitting on a rock. No, they don't have to. From front to back, the seals think there is no room on their rock for anyone else. People are welcome to join the seals when they read from back to front.

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey

I laughed so hard when I read about Brian, the piranha who loves bananas and all other fruits. As you know, his friends don't get it at all. Sharp teeth are used to eat meat, and there's also an attractive pair of arms and legs hanging nearby. Even though Piranhas aren't found in the ocean, this is still a great book about fish.

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen:

It is a clever story about a small fish who stole a blue bowler hat from a big fish who was asleep. He says, "This hat is not mine." "I just took it," he says, "It was too small for him anyway." As he swims to his hiding place, he doesn't know that the big fish is following him.

Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle:

There are two things you need to know about Mrs. Seahorse. She knows he will look after them. Mr. Tilapia, Mr. Kurtus, and Mr. Catfish are all amazing underwater daddies who are taking care of their babies while they wait for their eggs to hatch.

The Little Seahorse by Sheri Fink

To help toddlers and preschoolers learn, this story about a little seahorse is a great choice! It's important for the seahorse to learn how to speak up and ask for help if he finds a mysterious object and wants to bring it back to his mother. There are also new friends for him to make and confidence to boost as he goes.

Moonlight Ocean by Elizabeth Golding

These lightbeam books are so cool that they keep kids interested from the start. When you shine a flashlight at the illustrations, you can see different sea creatures and other things from under the sea come to life.

Over in the Ocean by Marianne Berkes

The children will love this as they learn about the ocean. They sing, clap, and chant all the way to the end.

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Watch as two best friends help another crab, even though they don't like each other. Kids will love this story because it has fun sea creatures and teaches them about how important it is to help others.

A House for a Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

Learn about marine life in this fun story about a hermit crab who grows out of his shell.

Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck

They will especially enjoy this story if they like the ocean. Kids should use their imaginations when they read this story about a trip under the sea. That turns out to be a boy in his bathtub who has a lot of ideas.

A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea by Jessica Law

It's a fun song that builds up over time, with each verse introducing a new animal and its place in the food chain. The shark chases the eel, who chases the squid, who chases the snail…

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Mr. Pout-Pout Fish is always down. Several sea friends try to cheer him up in a lovely rhyming story.

Non-Fiction: Informational Books About Oceans

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia by DK

Stunning images and simple graphics show the world's oceans in all their glory. From tiny plankton to huge whales, sandy beaches to the deepest depths, the world's oceans come to life in this book.

The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer

Because they have eight arms. To get around. They're jellyfish, right? Kids will love this book because it's full of interesting facts they'll love to read.

Who Would Win? Killer Whale Vs Great White Shark by Jerry Pallotta

When two great white sharks meet, what will happen? What if both of them were hungry? When did they fight? Who do you think would be the winner? In the Who Would Win? book series, this is part of it.

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