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Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite
Karla Discovers the Great Barrier Reef by Fizzi Reynolds is about Karla the koala from Noosa who, while perched in a gum tree she calls home, thought about meeting the inhabitants of the sea to show them that she cares. Seeking advice from her wise friend Chloe the kangaroo, she was told that she had to learn how to use a snorkel so she could meet the various undersea creatures face to face. The best place to do this was Lady Elliot Island which forms part of the Great Barrier Reef. As soon as she mastered using her "hose for a nose", Karla flew to Queensland where she was warmly welcomed, taking with her a backpack full of gum tree leaves. From a clear bottom boat, she dove into Australia's northeastern ocean and she discovered a whole new playground to explore. She began to play with some fish while admiring the other types of marine life and animals. She was so mesmerized by the deep sea corals that she did not notice her snorkel filling up with water!
The Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the greatest wonders of the world, but just like the Noosa Koala, it is also under the threat of extinction. It is just perfect that our inquisitive little Karla would be attracted to the largest if not the most beautiful reef system on the planet. Not only does the book allow readers to see the kind of diversity and interaction found in the ecosystem of the reef, but our heroine koala will soon understand that respecting and valuing every species is important. The watercolor illustrations by Lili Wills make the material attractive to children and are so finely done. It's like having a collection of impressively colorful artwork featuring Australia's animals, nature, and scenery. The language used by Fizzi Reynolds is fun and rhythmic, an enjoyable treat for avid young readers and read-aloud sessions for pre-readers. Also included is an easy-to-follow music sheet for a tune called Karla the Noosa Koala which can be played by any instrument. Karla Discovers the Great Barrier Reef is recommended for children from 4 to 10 years old. Young readers will realize the interconnectedness of land and sea creatures who must work together and honor each other because we belong to one planet and a universe that sings only one song for all of us.
