My First Board Book: Under the Sea

Dive deep into discovery with My First Board Book: Under the Sea, a vibrant bilingual introduction to marine life created especially for curious Kiwi kids. From the mighty whale (tōhora) to the delicate scallop (tipa), this board book is filled with oceanic treasures to explore. Beautifully illustrated by Donovan Bixley ONZM, it invites tamariki to learn through engaging visuals and language-rich text in both English and te reo Māori. The underwater theme connects children with the natural world while building essential vocabulary and concepts. Bixley, an internationally celebrated illustrator and author with over 100 titles published and accolades including the 2013 Children's Choice Award and a 2021 national honour, brings each page to life with colour and imagination. Based on Lake Taupō, Bixley infuses his work with a love for nature and storytelling. This sturdy board book serves as both an educational tool and an enchanting reading experience.

Educational Benefits:

• Teaches bilingual marine vocabulary in a fun, accessible format.
• Encourages early science awareness about ocean environments.
• Supports visual recognition of marine animals and shapes.
• Builds foundational language and categorisation skills.

Classroom Ideas:

• Set up an œunder the sea sensory bin with matching objects from the book.
• Use the story to introduce ocean conservation topics for young learners.
• Create a sea-life mural with bilingual labels drawn from the book.
• Incorporate themed music and movement exploring how sea animals move.

Information:

• Ages: 0-3 years
• Format: Board Book
• Language: English and te reo Māori
• Author/Illustrator: Donovan Bixley ONZM