World Oceans Day 2025: Library books for kids
We’re celebrating World Oceans Day – a time to recognise the importance of our moana (ocean) and all the life it holds. From the tiniest plankton to the mightiest whale, every creature has a part to play in keeping our oceans healthy.
To mark the occasion, our librarians have fished up some stories full of underwater wonder. These under-the-sea tales will help tamariki dive into marine adventures, spark curiosity about ocean life and learn how we can all help protect our precious waters.
1. Consider the octopus by Nora Raleigh Baskin and Gae Polisner
Jeremy “JB” Barnes was expecting a summer of surfing, not tagging along with his mum on a ship studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. One big mix-up later, twelve-year-old ocean-podcaster Sidney sneaks aboard the ship. The two find themselves at the centre of a comedy of errors, scientific chaos and a mission that just might help save the ocean.
2. The storm swimmer by Clare Weze
Ginika’s stuck at her grandparents’ seaside boarding house for the summer, far from her friends, fun and everything familiar. But everything changes when she meets Peri, a mysterious sea boy who swims like a dolphin and speaks in bubbles. As they grow close, Ginika begins to feel free again – until the human world starts pulling Peri away, and she’s forced to make a heart-wrenching choice.
3. Utterly dark and the face of the deep by Philip Reeve
Washed ashore as a baby, Utterly Dark has always lived by the sea’s edge where magic stirs at sundown and islands appear from nowhere. But when her guardian drowns, who will keep the Watch and make sure Wildsea stays safe from the strange forces teeming in the deep ocean around them?
4. Pearl of the sea by Anthony Silverston (beautiful graphic novel)
In her quiet South African town, Pearl feels more at home in the ocean than with people – except maybe the girl from class she secretly likes. But when she meets Otto, a lonely sea monster with a gentle soul, Pearl realises she can’t keep swimming from the truth. With poachers threatening the ocean and her new friend, it’s time for Pearl to face her fears, speak up and maybe even open her heart.
5. The wild robot protects by Peter Brown (book 3)
Roz the robot is back in the thrilling third instalment of the bestselling series, now also a hit movie! Roz and her son Brightbill are thriving and vibing on their peaceful island. But when a seal washes ashore with a troubling warning, Roz must dive deep into the ocean on a mission to save their home from a growing underwater threat.
6. Tales from the ocean by Chae Strathie
Explore twenty original ocean tales in this beautifully illustrated book, perfect for nature-loving tamariki. Meet curious sea creatures like penguins, seahorses, seals and hermit crabs as they swim through chilly waters and colourful coral reefs.
7. Animorphs: The message by Chris Grine (graphic novel. 4)
Cassie has been having strange dreams. A voice calls to her from deep beneath the ocean. When Tobias reveals he's been having the exact same dreams, they know it's time to listen. Pieces of debris wash up on shore, marked with alien writing, and the team realises they may still have allies in the fight for Earth. Now they just have to reach them, before time runs out.
8. The lost whale by Hannah Gold
What if you could communicate with a whale? While Rio’s mum is in hospital, the only thing that makes him smile is joining his new friend Marina on her dad's whale watching trips. That is until an incredible encounter with White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea, changes everything. But when White Beak goes missing, Rio must set out on a desperate quest to find his whale and somehow save his mum.
9. Tales from deep below: A turtleful of stories by young Australian authors
Get swept away by this anthology of underwater stories by young Australian authors! Each of these 15 intrepid tales and poems was created by a writer between the ages of 8 to12.
Want more stories from the deep? Dive into the full list of recommended reads: Under the sea fiction for kids
More ocean books for kids
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