Ocean and deep-sea books for kids who love underwater worlds

The ocean is wonderfully strange. It has glittering fish, hidden depths, coral reefs, turtles, sharks, whales and deep-sea creatures that look as if they have swum in from another planet. For curious kids, underwater worlds are hard to resist.

These Usborne books give kids lots of ways to explore the ocean, from sturdy board books and peek-inside flaps to pop-ups, stickers and magic painting activities. Whether they are discovering sea creatures for the first time or diving into fascinating deep-sea facts, there is an underwater adventure to enjoy.

Start with first ocean discovery

Who’s in the Ocean Today? is a gentle introduction to ocean animals for young children. With sturdy shaped pages, kids can discover turtles, sharks, dolphins and more while guessing which creature they will meet next. The layered pages encourage curiosity and make every turn of the page a small discovery.

For children who love lifting flaps, Peek Inside the Sea offers a fascinating look beneath the waves. Kids can peek behind coral, under the sea and into underwater scenes to discover sea creatures, a submarine exploring the deep and mysterious ocean habitats.

Pop-up ocean books

Some kids love books that surprise them, and Pop-up Ocean brings the underwater world to life with five impressive pop-up scenes.

From coral reefs and kelp forests to the deep sea, children can explore different ocean environments while discovering fascinating creatures along the way.

It is a wonderful choice for kids who enjoy books that move, unfold and create a sense of wonder.

Discover weird and wonderful deep-sea creatures

For kids fascinated by the strangest parts of the ocean, Big Sticker Book Weird Deep Sea Creatures is a brilliant way to explore the creatures that live far below the waves.

From glowing fish to unusual sharks and fascinating deep-sea animals, the book combines stickers with surprising facts about one of the least explored places on our planet.

It's perfect for kids who love asking, “Wait… that’s real?”

Make the ocean creative

For kids who enjoy hands-on activities, Under the Sea Magic Painting offers a creative way to explore underwater life.

By brushing water over the pages, children can reveal colourful ocean scenes filled with sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish, tropical fish and more. The magic painting format turns each page into a small surprise.

This is a great choice for kids who want an ocean activity book that combines creativity with discovery.

Which ocean book should you choose first?

• For younger kids, start with Who’s in the Ocean Today?. Its sturdy pages and friendly approach make it a lovely first step into the underwater world.
• For kids who enjoy flaps and exploring hidden details, choose Peek Inside the Sea.
• For dramatic visuals and interactive reading, Pop-up Ocean is a memorable choice.
• Kids who love unusual creatures will enjoy Big Sticker Book Weird Deep Sea Creatures, while creative children can dive into Under the Sea Magic Painting.

The ocean is enormous, but the best way in can be very small: a page to turn, a flap to lift, a sticker to place, a pop-up to open or a brush dipped in water. That first little dive can lead to a lifetime of curiosity about the world beneath the waves.

Discover more ocean adventures with Usborne

Explore Usborne ocean books and find an underwater adventure to inspire curious kids of all ages.