Reviews

Sea Slime: It's Eeuwy, Gooey, and Under the Sea


School Library Journal - May 2014

Gr 1-5–Prager explores the variety of ways sea creatures use slime to survive, from mucus bubbles that are used to catch food to protective coverings, flotation devices, and defense techniques. The repeated use of the word “slime” (always seen in a bold, dripping font) and the inclusion of well-known sea dwellers, such as dolphins, sharks, jellyfish, and clownfish, will engage young readers. While the vibrant color illustrations are indeed lifelike, there are some that could benefit from a caption or diagram for clarification, especially when explaining the bodies of the octopus and coral polyps. Back pages provide additional information about slime and sea habitats as well as a simple recipe for making cornstarch-based slime.
Meaghan Darling, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ

Kirkus Reviews - February 2014

"...Prager exudes basic facts about a gallery of marine creatures. These include jellyfish (“Its whole body is see-through SLIME”), slugs, coral, vampire squid and the ever-popular hagfish—which responds to danger with “undersea goo! Lots of goo!” There are missteps: An unembellished mention of a squid’s “eight arms, and two tentacles” may leave readers floundering, and the author slides past mucus’ chemical components without a mention. Nevertheless, she does secrete a clear trail of information about how the icky ichor is used in nature for offense, defense, flotation and locomotion. Moreover, a closing section offers more detail on the substance’s varied properties, as well as other enrichment material and even an easy recipe..."

Library Media Connection

This interesting read allows readers to discover how sea creatures use slime to protect themselves, capture food, or glide through the ocean. The fascinating sea creatures we learn about range from the popular clown fish to unique sea butterflies. The pastel colorful illustrations completely fill each page with detail. The soft illustrations give the feel of being surrounded by the ocean. The book includes Creative Minds: Slimy Animals True or False?, Why Slime?, Lifestyles of the Wet and Slimy, and Make Your Own Slime—It’s Fun and It’s Messy.
- Eileen Wright, Reference Librarian, Montana State University Billings Library, Billings, Montana RECOMMENDED

NSTA Recommends - May 2014

Dr. Ellen Prager, a noted marine scientist, consultant, and author explores how creatures use slime in the sea. She has selected an award winning illustrator to draw the beautiful pictures throughout the book. Many of the critters are new to most children. Sea butterflies or swimming snails have fins like wings to fly through the sea and blow bubbles of mucus to capture tiny bits of food. The violet snail with a spiraling purple shell makes rafts of bubbles of purple slime to stay afloat. A hagfish covers its enemies in sticky slippery goo. Parrotfish create a cocoon of goo to sleep in. A vampire squid shoots beads of glowing goo from the tips of its arms like an eight armed squirt gun.

Science Books and Films - December 2014

My children and I loved Sea Slime: It’s Eeuwy, Gooey, and Under the Sea for its wonderful illustrations, its silliness, its ‘eew’ factor, and the interesting scientific information it provides in a lyrical and fun way. Discussed in the book is the slime of jellyfish, sea slugs and sea butterflies (both a type of sea snail), parrotfish, clownfish, hagfish, moray eels, squid, and corals. At least a page is devoted to each; the animal is briefly discussed as well as why it has sea slime and how it uses the slime (the word ‘slime’ is presented in an eye-catching font). The only page we did not enjoy was the final page that lets kids imagine how they might use slime - one particular image of a little boy is oddly drawn and slightly unsettling (my daughter said it detracted from the rest of the book and I, also, found it strangely disappointing that this illustration was included in the book). The ‘For Creative Minds’ section at the end can be used by educators: it has a ‘slimy animals true and false’ section, more information on the benefits of slime, and a recipe to make your own slime (and what kid doesn’t love that!).--Shelley Spohr, Griswold, CT

Midwest Book Review - April 2014

"Sea Slime" is an exciting educational marine book about sea slime for children in grades K-3. Amazing color illustrations combine with actual undersea photography and simply written instructional narrative about the source, nature and attributes of that marvelous, gooey, undersea substance known as sea slime. Slime may seem eeuwy, but it has many positive aspects. Sea slime can provide protection, cover, or even sunscreen functions for different marine creatures. Sea slime can help many marine creatures keep healthy and clean, as well as providing some nutrition. It can also help deter predators. Sea slime comes in many forms and colors and shapes, but it is definitely a marine animal health and well-being asset. "Sea Slime" has several ending educational sections including For Creative Minds, Slimy Animals True or False? Why Slime?, Lifestyles of the Wet and Slimy, and Make Your Own Slime (It's Fun and It's Messy). all these learning activities and more are suggested online at www.SylvanDellPublishing.com for this informative and innovative marine educational book about "Sea Slime."

Kids Book Review/City Book Review - July 2014

Slime. Who would have thought that so many creatures on the ocean had sea slime? It is used to keep them safe, to help them swim faster, and to keep them safe from other creatures. The neatest thing about this book was learning that sea snails swim. Not only do they swim, but also they have little wings and they also make themselves a raft of slimy purple bubbles on the ocean surface to float on. And if you have ever seen Finding Nemo it will all make sense after reading this book. The reason the sea anemone doesn’t sting the clown fish is because their bodies are covered in seas slime!

“The squid can hover like a helicopter and change its color super fast.”

When you first look at this book, you will think you are looking at a real photograph, but when you open the book and look closer, you will see that the artist has done a super good job making it look so real. Don’t let the gross name keep you from picking up this book because it was such a good book and I learned something I hadn’t known before, and that definitely makes it five stars!
- Reviewed by Avery, age 10

Feathered Quill Book Review - March 2014

This is a fun book about “eeuwy, gooey” ocean sea slime kids will love. Of course that yuk factor is something a lot of young students are drawn to. In this book they will learn how sea creatures learn to use that disgusting slime to their advantage. The gross factor is there, but the learning one is there as well. Some of these deep sea creatures may be familiar while others such as the vampire squid and the hagfish might not be. The artwork is quite vibrant, colorful, and is very appealing. My favorite is the two-page spread of several different types of moray eels. In the back of the book are four pages of activities, including an all-time favorite, “Make Your Own Slime.” There are additional complementary resources on the publisher’s website.

Home School Book Review Blog - March 2014

Most kids really like anything having to do with slime. The author, Dr. Ellen Prager, is a well-respected marine scientist who is widely recognized for her expertise and ability to bring science to the layperson. Shennen Bersani’s illustrations will help youngsters to visualize the fascinating and bizarre animals that use slime for catching food, protecting themselves, or moving from place to place in the undersea environment. The “For Creative Minds” pages have a true-false quiz about slimy animals, further information on slime and the sea habitats where it is found, and a recipe to make your own slime. More free teaching activities can be found online at the publisher’s website. Kids will have an eewuy, gooey time reading or listening to Sea Slime.

Tif Talks Books - April 2014

Sea Slime is all about slime under the sea . . . where it can be found, what it is used for, and what animals utilize it.  As the subtitle suggests, it is eeuwy and gooey, yet quite intriguing.  The illustrations, courtesy of Shennen Bersani, are an added bonus to this tale, making this a fun and informative read.

Sea Slime wins my son's favorite award!

Readers Haven Reviews - April 2014

The book is intended for young children as an introduction to the undersea world of critters and their lives. So detailed information is not necessarily provided. However, the author clearly brings to light, even in the darkness of the undersea world, that sea slime has a variety of purposes. It is used to protect and to offend. It helps critters float and move around - they slither and slide through their undersea environment.

Archimedes Notebook - June 2014

Each page highlights a creature that uses slime in some way. From jellyfish to slugs to squid, this book underscores the diversity of life in the ocean. There are so many cool creatures that I’ve never heard of, like the vampire squid that shoots beads of glowing goo from the tips of its arms. At the back there’s more for curious kids: a page on “why slime”, a look at “lifestyles of the Wet and Slimy” and a recipe to make your own slime.

Learning Table Reviews - June 2014

This colorful picture book showcases all the eeuwy, gooey, slimy ways ocean life use mucus to capture food, protect themselves, and travel. What kid wouldn't love a book about slime and goo? This book really makes learning fun!