By the time the Ocean theme rolls around in our speech room each year, we’re only a few weeks away from Summer break. I love ending the year with an ocean theme, because with rising temperatures in South GA, we’re all dreaming of the beach anyway! I stick with the ocean theme for the last several weeks of school. You can see some of the MANY ocean activities we do HERE, and a post on adorable ocean crafts HERE! Today, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite ocean books for speech therapy. Affiliate links are included, k?
The Pout Pout Fish, by Deborah Diesen:
Who doesn’t love the Pout Pout Fish?!?! It is wonderful for social skills and teaching the importance of a good attitude, as well as how our actions can effect others. You can find my book companions for it HERE and HERE. (prep and no prep companions available.)
Big Al, by Andrew Clements Yoshi:
This is one of my favorite books ever! It’s the perfect book for concepts such as friendship, bravery, and not judging others based on looks. It also works perfectly for Story Grammar Marker!
Swim, Swim, by Lerch:
Such a cute comic-book-like story, with few words and the most adorable pictures! Really great for inferencing as well!
What Lives in a Shell, by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld:
This is the perfect book to add a nonfictional component in your themed therapy! It teaches about the different types of shells, animals that live in the shells, and the importance of protecting the animals in the shells when collecting items on the beach. You can find my book companion for it HERE.
The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark, by Ken Geist:
This book is the newest favorite in our Ocean theme (also works great for Fairy Tales!) Just like the Three Little Pigs, but with ocean animals and a hilarious surprise at the end, it’s a must-read! You can also find my latest companion for it HERE (print, no prep, and Boom card activities all included!)
The Sea Mammal Alphabet Book, by Jerry Pallotta:
Perfect for learning about different sea animals…one for each letter of the alphabet! It also includes beautiful, realistic illustrations!
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell, by Lucille Colandro:
Who doesn’t love the Old Lady Books? This one is a favorite for sure! These books are great for working on sequencing! I have two FREEBIES available for this book: a print mini companion and a Boom Card version!
Shark’s Big Surprise, by A.H. Benjamin and Bill Bolton:
I stumbled upon this book a few years ago, and it’s just the cutest! Great for comprehension and inferences, as well as social skills and friendship!
Secrets of the Seashore, by Carron Brown & Alyssa Nassner:
This is such a beautifully illustrated book! I love these Shine the Light books!
Commotion in the Ocean, by Giles Andreae:
This book is great for ocean vocabulary! Full of bright and colorful pictures, the little poems inside work their way through the alphabet: one ocean animal for each letter!
Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister:
Rainbow Fish is another incredible story for social skills. It has a beautiful message about friendship, inclusion, sharing, and more. You can find two book companions for it HERE and HERE (prep and no prep companions available).
An Octopus is Amazing, by Patricia Lauber:
This is one of my favorite books for nonfiction! I learned so much about octopuses and what amazing creatures they are! My book companion is available HERE.
Three Little Hermit Crabs, by Joseph Torcivia
When I first saw this book, I knew I had to have it! It’s similar to the Three Little Pigs, but with ocean animals instead. Perfect for an ocean or fairy-tale theme!
One Tiny Turtle, by Nicola Davies
Incorporating nonfiction into my themes, especially about animals, is so important to me! I believe it’s important to teach our students to appreciate and respect our planet and the animals we have, so they can take part in protecting them as well! This nonfiction story about the life of a Loggerhead sea turtle is full of facts that students can understand, as well as beautiful illustrations.
Never Feed a Shark, by Make Believe Ideas Ltd.
If you aren’t familiar with the “Never Feed A” series, your students will LOVE them! They’re adorable, quick, and interactive, making students happy to engage in reading!
Big Al, by Andrew Clements
If you’re not familiar with Big Al, you’re missing out! I love the message behind this story of friendship, and you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover….or a fish by it’s scales! There’s a sequel (Big Al & Shrimpy, too!)
How to Catch a Mermaid, by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
I simply love the “How to Catch A….” series, and my students do, too! It is sure to hold your students’ attention until the very end!
Nugget and Fang, by Tammi Sauer & Michael Slack
This is such a cute story about two very different fish, who are determined to stay friends no matter what! There are several adorable sequels, too!
Hello My Name Is…How Adorabilis Got His Name, by Marisa Polansky
This is a precious fiction tied to nonfiction story about the Adorabalis Octopus and how it got its name. It reviews the names of many sea creatures and what they are known for, and describes the many traits of the Adorabilis Octopus. It includes a nonfiction piece at the end from a scientist who helped name the octopus….all in all a precious story riddled with factual information as well!
Ocean, by Charles Reasoner
This is a precious book for younger students, perfect for naming ocean animals and counting from 1-4.
What are your favorite ocean books for speech therapy? There are so many amazing ones out there!
