The coral reef is a truly amazing place, and Sammy and Scarlett are just beginning to discover how special it is. Sammy, a sergeant major, and Scarlett, a yellowtail snapper, have been prepared for this journey by Manny the Mangrove. He has provided them with all the instructions necessary to guide them to the barrier reef. As they travel, the two encounter Howie, a sea turtle who offers to escort the pair while providing some much-needed advice on how to stay safe in the vast ocean. Howie not only shows Sammy and Scarlett the ways of the water, but he opens up a whole new world full of beauty and wonder.

Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure, written by Robert Andrew Provan and illustrated by Mary Wentzel, is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that tells the story of a fantastic journey undertaken by two fish bound to reach the barrier reef and begin their lives anew. Provan’s book is an exceptional one for young readers as it offers them both an engaging storyline complete with suspense while at the same time handing them a long list of facts about ocean life disguised neatly within a narrative.

To say this is a beautifully illustrated book is really an understatement. Wentzel depicts one of the most stunning places on Earth in what can only be described as equally breathtaking illustrations. I found myself examining the phenomenal detail in every picture as I explored along with Sammy and Scarlett. Each page brings a new and intricate representation of the plants and animals that inhabit the coral reef.

Sammy and Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure, written by Robert Andrew Provan and illustrated by Mary Wentzel, is a lovingly-crafted children’s picture book that would make an excellent gift for an elementary-aged reader interested in ocean life. I highly recommend the team of Provan and Wentzel to any parent or educator.

Pages: 46 | ASIN : B0C6LSXHLQ