Snapshots: The Wonders of Monterey Bay by Celeste Davidson Mannis #15

Mannis, Celeste D. (2006). Snapshots: The Wonders of Monterey Bay. New York: Penguin Group.

Author/Illustrator: Celeste Mannis

Grades: K - 4

Curriculum Links: Science

Author Credibility: Mannis is the award winning author of several children’s books. On her website, she says that it is her goal to explore aspects of our world - its people, cultures, history, and natural wonders - in a way that fuels their amazing intelligence and curiosity. She visited Monterey Bay as a child many times. In fact, Monterey Bay actually inspired her to become a writer and later on a photographer. In the book, she states that an ecologist and curator assisted with the identification of the plants and animals in the photographs.

Awards:
2007 Southern California Children’s Literature Council, Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction; 2006 Children’s Choice Award; 2007 Cornerstones of Science Award Nominee; 2006 Southern California Booksellers Association Award, Best Children`s Book

Summary:
This is a specialized book that introduces the many wonders of the Monterey Bay. It has a simple, narrative tone that draws the reader in from beginning to end. The book contains beautiful, full-color (2 page spread) photographs of Monterey Bay and its diverse inhabitants. Each two page spread has a short phrase that describes the photographs in an intriguing way. There is also a sidebar and bottom bar that contains facts and small photographs of Monterey Bay. There are many interesting facts about Monterey Bay’s marine life, tidepools, beaches, and its ocean floor.

Standards: Life Science

Illustrations: Full-color photographs over a two page spread that capture the life and beauty of Monterey Bay. The sidebar and bottom bar also contain close-up photographs of the marine animals and plants that are a part of it.

Access Features: Author’s note, key that notes what each photograph contains, websites on the marine animals discussed in book

Classroom Use: This book could be used during a study of marine animals and their inhabitants right here in the United States. It could also be used to discuss habitats and ecosystems.

Response: I really enjoyed reading this book! I learned so much about Monterey Bay and its unique wonders! The photographs in this book were really interesting.