![Favorite Preschool Ocean Books photo](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Electric-Blue-and-Pink-Birthday-Pinterest-Graphic-683x1024.png)
Looking for great literature to add to your preschool ocean theme? Here are my favorite preschool ocean books. From classic picture books to newer releases, you will find a whole school of ocean books to dive into together with your preschooler.
Favorite Ocean Book Series
![Photo of three books on a white background, Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark, The Pout-Pout Fish, and The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pout-pout-fish-books-1-1024x682.jpg)
The Pout Pout-Fish, The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark, and The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School <affil. link> written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna
These are the first three books in the popular Pout-Pout Fish series. With rhyming, repetitive text and encouraging messages (such as changing your attitude to see the brighter side of life, having courage and working together to do hard things, and the power of encouraging words), these books are preschool favorites.
![Photo of three Rainbow Fish books on a white background.](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rainbow-fish-books-1024x686.jpg)
The Rainbow Fish <affil. link> (and sequels) by Marcus Pfister
The Rainbow Fish is another classic preschool ocean book. The illustrations in these books are beautiful. The original story can be a good jumping off point for some great discussions about being a good friend and whether or not we need to share everything in order to be happy. The sequels are wonderful for talking about inclusion and not judging a creature (or person) by the way they look.
Fish Stories
Not Norman A Goldfish Story <affil. link> written by Kelly Bennett and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
While this book is not a strictly ocean themed preschool book, it could fit well into a pet theme. I have to add it because it is a charming story about a boy who discovers that his disappointing pet goldfish (he wanted a puppy) may not be as disappointing as he thinks. In addition, if you are looking to add more diversity to your bookshelf, this book’s main character is a black boy, with a diverse group of side characters as well.
![Photo of three fish picture books on a white background, Swimmy, Not Norman, and Ten Little Fish](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/fish-stories-1-1024x683.jpg)
Swimmy <affil. link> by Leo Lionni
This book is a classic preschool ocean book for a reason. The illustrations beautiful. Swimmy struggles to find his place in a big, awe-inspiring, but sometimes cruel world. He eventually realizes that the very thing that makes him different is just the thing that can help him save his new-found friends. By working together, they can make their world a better place.
Ten Little Fish <affil. link> by Audrey and Bruce Wood
This mother and son collaboration is a fun rhyming, counting tale of 10 little fish and their adventures. As the fish leave, one by one, there is just one little fish left alone. Or is he? You will love the twist ending!
Other Ocean Animal Stories
![Photo of three Ruth Galloway ocean themed picture books on a white background.](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ruth-Galloway-books-1024x683.jpg)
Fidgety Fish, Tickly Octopus, and Clumsy Crab by Ruth Galloway
These books are some of my favorite preschool ocean books. Adorable sea creatures with lots of energy, clumsy claws, and impulsive natures are relatable to preschoolers and parents alike. I love seeing how each animal learns to channel the things that make them unique and possibly irritating to others into the very things that help others and themselves solve problems.
![Photo of picture book A House for Hermit Crab on a white background.](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/hermit-crab-book-1024x683.jpg)
A House for Hermit Crab <affil. link> by Eric Carle
Explore the ocean, full of interesting creatures, along with Hermit Crab. With it’s longer text, it may be too wordy for your younger child to sit through. However, an older preschooler or kindergartener will love this story, with additional information on the ocean creatures in the story, as well as the signature Eric Carle artwork.
Commotion in the Ocean<affil. link> written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by David Wojtowycz
Clever, descriptive poems about a variety of ocean animals fill this brightly illustrated ocean animal picture book. With a touch of humor and clever rhymes, this is a fun read aloud.
![Photo of picture book, My Very Own Octopus by Bernard Most, on a white background.](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/octopus-book-1024x683.jpg)
My Very Own Octopus <affil. link> by Bernard Most
If you had your very own octopus, what could you do together? This story imagines all of the wonderful things that you could do if you had an octopus for a friend.
I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean <affil. link> by Kevin Sherry
The squid is the biggest thing in the ocean, and he is very proud of it. But is he really the biggest thing in the ocean? Not only is this a great read-aloud, especially for the youngest preschoolers, but it also has a great, funny twist ending. Additionally, you can use this story to explore size comparisons.
Non-Fiction Ocean Books
![Photo of a group of non-fiction readers by Melvin and Gilda Berger on a white background.](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ocean-non-fiction-books-1024x682.jpg)
Easy Science Readers by Melvin and Gilda Berger
I love the easy reader non-fiction books by Melvin and Gilda Berger. Beautiful Photographs, simple text, and interesting facts about sea life make these books perfect for young learners.
1001 things to Spot in the Sea <affil. link> published by Usborne Books
This is a wonderful activity book, filled with sea scenes and diverse people and places. Also, this book is filled with plenty of objects and animals to match, count and discover on each page.
Pirate Stories
In a list of favorite preschool ocean books, I had to add a few pirate stories.
![Photo of two pirate pictures books, Shiver Me Letters A Pirate ABC and Tough Boris on a white background.](https://mudpiesandhighfives.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/pirate-books-1024x683.jpg)
Tough Boris <affil. link> by Mem Fox
Oh how I love Mem Fox! Her writing is both simple and poetic. In this story, Tough Boris embodies all the traditional characteristics of a pirate, being fearless and massive and scruffy. But being a pirate also means being sad when his trusty parrot dies. All pirates cry. Therefore, this book can make a great starter for talking about our many emotions.
Shiver Me Letters A Pirate ABC<affil. link> written by June Sobel and illustrated by Henry Cole
This fun pirate-themed ABC book is full of alphabet fun. Every page has the featured letter hidden in the illustrations. Engaging, rhyming, alliterative text makes learning the letters and sounds an adventure.
I hope you enjoyed this dive into some of my favorite preschool ocean books. Did any of your favorites end up on my list? If a well loved ocean book isn’t on my list, share it in the comments. I love discovering new literary treasures!
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