This is the Reef

It is, of course, the Great Barrier Reef, and Moss and Kennaway have provided a most engaging descriptive celebration of this eco-icon. They introduce us to the many and varied forms of coral, fish, turtle, crustacean, starfish and a strange striped thing called a nudibrach (sea-slug?) in 15 beautifully illustrated and balanced spreads – endpaper to endpaper.

Moss’s words are sparse but pin-sharp, reflecting the fragility of this unique marine wilderness; Kennaway’s pictures fill each coral-scape with vibrant colour and accurate image. The two combine to form a splendid example of how well-composed text and well-realised artwork can knock the stuffing out of any ‘amazing true-life real photo’ production, of which so many abound. For photographs satisfy curiosity – books like this nourish imagination.