Info
- Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
- Age Range: 5 – 8 years
- Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
- Hardcover: 60 pages
- Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 26, 2025)
- ISBN-10: 1797225359
- ISBN-13: 978-1797225357
Discover the colorful wonder of the Caribbean in this fascinating and beautiful exploration of the coral reef from the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series!
Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Wetland, and Over and Under the Snow, this volume takes readers on a journey into the colorful and lively coral reef of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean.
Over the reef, terns circle and frigate birds soar. Sea turtles paddle and balloonfish float through the sparkling waves. But under the reef’s arms, where nurse sharks prowl the seafloor and octopuses slip away into shadows, there waits a living rainbow of peacock flounders and blue damselfish, pink anemones and creamy conch shells. Discover the dazzling world just beneath the waves—over and under the coral reef.
ENCHANTING AND EDUCATIONAL: A charming story and dazzling illustrations invite readers of all ages to explore and learn about the reef, with waters full of coral and animals that are as lively as they are lovely to see—and full of secrets to fire up young readers’ curiosity!
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and especially of our coral reefs—is essential, and this book makes a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world’s natural habitats and ecosystems.
GREAT SET OF NATURE BOOKS FOR KIDS: Acclaimed author and artist Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal have made dozens of beloved and critically acclaimed books. The entire Over and Under series—including Snow, Garden, Pond, Rainforest, Canyon, Waves, Wetland and more to come—is a joy to read and a wonderful addition to any classroom or home library.
Perfect for:
- Anyone seeking a distinctive gift for an animal- or nature-loving child
- Fans of the Over and Under series and The Brilliant Deep
- Parents, grandparents, and caregivers looking for a book about nature to share with kids
- Teachers, educators, and librarians seeking beautiful nonfiction books with STEM content
“Neal has composed a symphony of color that makes for utterly immersive settings… Messner’s perfectly chosen prose advances the story, introducing the protagonist to various nooks and crannies of the reef while allowing readers to feel the sensations of floating, diving, and breathing underwater as they turn the pages.”
~Kirkus, starred review