The deep end Real facts about the ocean

Gr 1--4--Ocean enthusiasts will want to dive into this nonfiction picture book that shares fun facts about the "deep end," as well as a history of ocean exploration. Pirate Brownbeard and his first mate Alan the parrot know very little about the oceans they navigate. Luckily a scientist, who is woman-presenting and brown-skinned, appears on their ship to enlighten them. The tone is light and fun for the most part, other than a warning at the end about the perils of climate change, pollution, and overfishing. The author captivates readers with the fascinating habits of the curious creatures which line the ocean floor and the evolution of odd and fantastic tools and vessels used for deep sea exploration. Brownbeard fills in as the comic relief with oblivious quips and jokes. While some pages contain mostly dialogue, reflecting the author's medium as an editorial cartoonist, many depictions of the flora and fauna of the depths create a much more vibrant visual palette, including rich colors and full spreads. The book offers no back matter and covers only brief snippets of information, so readers seeking a comprehensive oceanology text must look elsewhere. However, the entertainment factor and high-interest topic make up for a limited scope. VERDICT While not a deep dive into the topic, readers will find this book to be an amusing and illuminating glimpse into the underwater world.--Clara Hendricks

An editorial cartoonist's--eye view of deep-sea mysteries and denizens. Avast, there! When light-hued Brownbeard the pirate proves clueless about what glittering "treasure" lies at the bottom of the sea ("Awk! What's a doubloon?" asks feathered first mate Alan. "I have no idea. Maybe a pastry?"), a dark-skinned scientist in a lab coat pops up on his ship's plank to set him straight. Starting with ancient divers bringing up food ("This looks like a booger," says a Chinese diver, peering into a clamshell) and sponges, the scientist proceeds to introduce oceanic denizens from sea pigs and giant squid to snailfish and life around thermal vents, with nods to exploratory ventures of the past giving way to modern uses of sonar and submersibles for research. The book ends with warnings about the dangers of climate change and overfishing (an image of a polar bear atop a tiny melting piece of ice drives home the issue), which leave the captain tearful and lead into a closing spread of random ocean facts highlighted (if that's the word) by a portrait of a blue whale posed for scale next to a barely visible banana. The art throughout is similarly finished and playful. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An easily digestible course of "real facts." (Informational picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.