Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean

by: Gail Langer Karwoski; Illustrated by Connie McLennan

Published by: Sylvan Dell Publishing

Reviewed by Alia Pranke

Water Beds: Sleeping in the Ocean is an educational and interesting story for children. It answers the important, yet seldom-thought-of questions about marine mammals' sleep habits. It's actually something that as an adult, I hadn't thought about, and found fascinating.

Ten marine mammals (animals that breathe air) are introduced and their sleeping habits are discussed. Did you know that orcas whales sleep for four minutes, gliding with others in their pods, and then they must come up for air? Or that harbor seals may come up to rest on the shore and hang over into the water with only their foreheads, eyes and snouts poking out of the water? Beluga whales float in the water with their blowholes in the air. You'll want to read the book for the explanations about how the other seven marine mammals sleep in the water.

You and your children will be amazed at the ingenious ways marine mammals sleep. I don't know who was more fascinated, me or my four-year-old daughter. We both enjoyed the inviting illustrations that contributed greatly to "showing" us just how the animals breathe when sleeping.

Armchair Interviews says: A fun and educational book for parents and their children.