Review: Chin, J. (2011). Coral Reefs.

Chin, J. (2011). Coral Reefs. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Coral Reefs is an inventive look at scientific nonfiction for children that fascinates and informs.  All of the illustrations are edge-to-edge brilliant artwork created by the author in watercolor and gouache--realistic and detailed, crafted, not photographed.  Additionally, Chin keeps the text as simple and engaging as possible, so that it does not seem to young readers like an onslaught of facts.  Finally, he places a child at the center of his “story.”

The story-within-the-story here begins with a young girl visiting an urban library on the title page.  Wordless, she is depicted with an expression of curiosity, pulling a book from the shelf--a book that’s partially-glimpsed cover reveals it to be the very book in the reader’s hands.  As the text begins discussing the origins and anatomy of corals, this character is shown to be herself reading the content. She strolls through the library, engrossed, unaware that corals sprout from tables, water begins to pool, and large sea life gradually takes over the library’s interior.  Only when water teaming with creatures rushes through the windows is she alerted to to the conversion--then continues her book, swimming underwater in her imagination and greeting each sea turtle and crab.

As the girl continues exploring the depths, the third-person voice informs us of the extensive role coral reefs play in various food chains, all making up a larger food web. She swims past a giant grouper with a smile on her face as the reader learns of symbiotic relationships--defined more in-depth in an appendix. Lastly, the city begins to reappear behind the ocean, and then the girl is left dripping wet on the library’s steps, where she shares her book and new-found knowledge with even more inquisitive children.

Jason Chin is known for his innovative and relatable contributions to children’s nonfiction, and has stated that he would never write about a place he hasn’t visited.  He writes in an author’s note that for this book he visited the Belize barrier reef, and additionally drew heavily on prior research and resources, some of which he notes for further reading. Further facts that have been blended in without seeming overwhelming appear on the front and back endpapers, where various simply-sketched species--all from the Caribbean reefs--are identified along with their sizes.  For similar nonfiction reading on different subjects, check out Chin’s other compelling works.

Artwork. (2012). J. Chin (Author). Retrieved April 25, 2019, from http://jasonchin.net/books/coral-reefs/

© 2012 Jason Chin