What's so special about the ocean? Everything! The birthplace of all life on Earth, it is the largest of the world's ecosystems, covering almost three—quarters of our planet. It produces most of the fresh water we drink and half the oxygen that we breathe. In fact, the very land we are standing on came from the ocean floor and will one day return there. In this carefully researched, fun—to—color book, you'll learn how the ocean does many wondrous things. Find out how it determines both the climate and the weather. Encounter the tiny animals and plants floating on the surface as well as the monstrous creatures lurking in the dark abyss. And most importantly, discover why a healthy ocean is essential and what you can do to help protect it.