Children's Literature

Readers opening this remarkable book for the first time will quickly realize that it is an adventure for the eyes. Pages are mostly black, illuminated by wondrous creatures that seem to light up from within (in some cases, they actually do). This book, with an introduction by the renowned scientist Sylvia Earle, takes the lucky reader from the shoreline's edge to, as the author puts it, "the unfathomable deep." And what a journey it is! "If aliens came looking for life on earth they would first probably dive into the sea," says Earle. That dive would take the explorer from sunny, seaweed habitats where schools of fish swim and coral reefs are home to beautiful corals, lovely nudibranches (sea slugs), sea cucumbers, and octopus down through open water where zooplankton and sea jellies swim. An ROV (remotely operated vehicle) with its lights and cameras take over in deeper water where incredible animals such as deep sea coral, sea stars, tube worms, and a dazzling collection of critters that have adapted to cold, dark waters. Scientists, riding in submersible vehicles, may discover deep ocean-dwellers never seen before. Examples of newly discovered animals include a tiny blind lobster, a see-through sea cucumber making its way across the sea floor, more varieties of comb jellies, and deep sea snailfish. This is a thoroughly engaging book with breathtaking photo illustrations plus clear, compelling text. Reviewer: Judy Crowder