About the Author

Madeleine Dunphy is an educational consultant who teaches children about endangered environments. She has studied and visited many of the world's ecosystems, and was inspired to write books about our world's great diversity of life. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Gwendolyn. For more information about Madeleine, her books, and her school presentations visit www.mdunphy.com. Tom Leonard's beautiful paintings have graced the pages of many children's books including One Small Place by the Sea and One Small Place in a Tree by Barbara Brenner. His stunning artwork has been praised by Booklist as having "great visual flair," and School Library Journal wrote that his colors "delight the eye." He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Rose, and teaches at the University of the Arts. For more information visit www.tomleonard.com.

Reviews

Named an "Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children" by the National Science Teachers Association and Children's Book Council

Selected as a "Reading Rainbow Book"

"Set beneath the coral sea of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, this forceful cumulative rhyming tale introduces some of the striking residents of the coral reef ecosystem.... The artist varies perspectives, giving viewers the impression that they are not only underwater at level with the reef's inhabitants, but sometimes at tooth level."
—Kirkus Reviews

"[T]his vibrant, idealized picture of the southern hemisphere reef will grab and hold the attention of young viewers."
—School Library Journal

"This vividly illustrated book presents the interdependence of the various inhabitants of the ecosystem that is Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The repeating verse style will engage young readers as they gain an appreciation of the plants, fish, and other sea creatures that live in and around the reef."
—Science and Children