Coral Reef

Coral reefs, we’re told, cover less than one percent of the Earth’s surface but contain nearly a fifth of all fish species. This makes them worthy of conservation and study to find out why they’re so good for fish. So the book snapshots the reef hourly day and night and explains what we find. Coral sleep by day and begin to feed at sundown but the pattern for moving creatures is more varied, as is the assembly of organisms to which the reef (we never learn where it is) is home. Such surroundings are a colour-photographer’s paradise and this is where the book excels – the ‘cor, look at that!’ count is high and, among the many inhabitants we find Nemo – yes, he’s an ANEMOnefish! So while this portrait of the rock around the clock may not chalk up many points in the blackboard jungle, it’ll surely entertain those with whom it engages.