Two New Picture Books Invite Children to Explore the Ocean Through 18 Questions

“How do fish breathe?” “Do animals in the sea sleep?” Taiwan’s Ocean Conservation Administration has turned children’s questions into the starting point for two new picture books about the marine world.

The “Oh~Ocean!” series includes “Oh~Ocean! Little Ocean Person” and “Oh~Ocean! Ocean Person.” Each book uses 18 questions, playful answers and vivid illustrations to make complex marine topics easier for children to understand and encourage them to keep asking questions.

The edition for younger children begins with everyday experiences and their imaginative curiosity. Alongside basic explanations, it introduces habits intended to show respect for marine life, including not feeding wild animals and not taking coral, shells or hermit crabs from the sea.

The more advanced edition expands into ocean warming, ocean acidification, overfishing and ghost nets, which can continue harming marine animals even when they are not visible. It also covers marine-wildlife rescue and the choice of ocean-friendly sunscreen, inviting children to ask what they can do in their own lives.

The administration said it hopes the books will bring marine science into homes, schools and daily life by discussing the ocean through children’s eyes and their questions.