Book Review

Did you know phytoplankton needs sunlight in order to grow? In the book, Sea Soup by Mary M. Cerullo I learned many interesting things about phytoplankton and why scientists are looking for answers about phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton are tiny one-celled drifting plants that are found under water or near the surface of oceans and ponds. It can even be found on mud flats along the seashore. When the tiny plants bloom it becomes "phytoplankton soup" or "sea soup" that feeds everything in the water.

There are many different kinds of phytoplankton. Some phytoplankton make biotoxins. A biotoxin is a poison made by an animal or even a plant. Scientists don't know why phytoplankton make biotoxins, but some day they might find the answer.

I would recommend this book to someone else because they could learn the same things I learned about phytoplankton. Another reason is because kids like the ocean and we might help scientists discover what we need to do to help keep phytoplankton healthy.

~ Cullen S., St. John's Catholic School student, Brunswick
"Read, Write & Win" 2005, 1st place / 3rd grade

I think this is a very educational book and the photographs are very good also. I like the picture of the whale best.

~ Katherine M., Hawthorne School student, Brunswick

Excellent photography and simple language (with exception of genus and species names) expaining important concepts. Photos are from Bigalow Laboratories. The author is a local woman. This book is about a very important and mostly overlooked and under taught subject. Phytoplankton produce 50% of the Earth's oxygen. This book is for grades 3-7, but most adults would benefit from reading it as well.

~ Marjorie Tennyson, Science Teacher, Hall-Dale School, Hallowell

This is an excellent primer on phytoplankton, the single-celled algae at the base of aquatic ecosystems. It is beautifully designed and illustrated with drawings and photographs.

~ Anne Hayden, Natural Resources Consultant & Author