Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench

by Lydia Lukidis, Juan Calle Velez (Illustrator)

Overview

Deep, deep down, at the very bottom of the ocean, lies a secret world. Through lyrical narration, this spare-text STEM picture book takes readers on a journey to a place very few humans have ever been—the Mariana Trench. The imagined voyage debunks scary myths about this mysterious place with surprising and beautiful truths about life at Earth's deepest point. Deep, Deep Down shows a vibrant world far below, and teaches readers how interconnected our lives are to every place on the planet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684469451
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	08/01/2024
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	8 - 10 Years

About the Author

Lydia Lukidis is the author of more than thirty-five trade and educational books for children, as well as thirty e-books. Her latest STEM title, The Broken Bees’ Nest (Boyds Mills & Kane, 2019), was nominated for a CYBILS Award. Lydia is passionate about fostering a love for literacy with children. In addition to offering writing workshops and author visits in elementary schools, she is very involved in the kidlit community and volunteers as a judge on Rate your Story.

Juan is a former biologist turned science illustrator, trained on the Science Illustration program at UC Monterrey Bay. He worked early on his illustrator career for field guides of plants and animals of his country of origin, Colombia, and now owns and works in his art studio, LIBERUM DONUM in BogotaColumbia, creating concept art, storyboarding and his passion: comic books.

Interviews

Lyrical narration (similar to Candace Fleming’s GIANT SQUID) engages readers through an imagined journey (such as in Jason Chin's CORAL REEFS).

Editorial Reviews

Imagine being invited to visit a mysterious place where only a few have ever been; where only they have truly seen the creatures that inhabit it; and where it’s murky depths are accessible by only one type of vehicle. Would you dare to go? Lydia Lukidis and Juan Calle extend just such an invitation, but no notes for missing school, packing a suitcase, or plucking of courage need to be considered, for through their phenomenal book, readers find a seat in the incredible submersible that will transport them to “…the deepest underwater valley in the world”: the Mariana Trench. The submersible plunges deeper and deeper to where the sun doesn’t penetrate. Here, in the darkness, “food is scarce, and a bone-chilling cold blasts through the water. Earthquakes shake the ocean floor, and the water pressure, like a thick, heavy blanket with a thousand hands, presses down, / down, / down.” What flashes by the porthole window? A monster? No—a fish with a long and slender tail perfectly suited for its austere home, where it can survive for months without eating if necessary. “Diving deeper, a long, thin body slinks and sways, ever so slowly. The cutthroat eel is not fearsome, some rather, mesmerizing.” . . . . Insets of scientific information on diet, anatomical adaptations, and other aspects that make them suited to their environment also accompany the introduction of each sea creature. Back matter includes an illustrated cutaway of the ocean above and descending into the Mariana Trench with various sea creatures labeled and oriented to the level in which they are found; “Did You Know?” facts about the water pressure in the Trench, its creation, and how many people have visited; why the Mariana Trench matters; an author’s note; and a glossary. When undertaking an excursion into unknown territory—especially through words and pictures—explorers need guides who can truly immerse them not only in the sights and sounds of an area but also the rhythms and almost intangible aura that makes it so uniquely compelling. Readers of all ages find that quality in Deep, Deep Down. Lydia Lukidis’s lithe and lyrical language is at once straightforward—answering questions any reader might have—and evocative—capturing the enigmatic and secret world at the bottom of the Earth as it flashes into view or slowly reveals itself and retreats again. Her vocabulary, rich with active verbs, ensures that readers appreciate the Mariana Trench as teeming with life and alive with wonders more amazing than we can even imagine. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself forgetting that you’re looking at illustrations of a vampire squid, anglerfish, rattail fish, cutthroat eels, crinoids, and even the rocky and sandy ocean floor instead of photographs as you inspect Juan Calle’s magnificent pages. As the submersible—seen from many angles—plunges into darker and darker water, bioluminescent fish begin to appear alongside their grayer sea mates (children will enjoy pointing out the dark shapes that lurk in the shadows of the submersible and the stony outcroppings.) As a rattail drifts into view, each rose-gold scale is visible, shimmering in the beam of light thrown from the submersible; it’s blue eye seemingly as curious about readers as they are about this unusual fish. Calle mesmerizes with careful details, shading, and perspective that portrays each creature in all of their weird and wonderful floating, creeping, or stock-still spectacle. Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench will thrill ocean and nature lovers and will spur increased interest and research into this unique, nearly untouched habitat that we are only now beginning to discover. The book is a must for any environmental science enthusiast at home and for all classroom, school, and public library collections.

Celebrate Picture Books

Deep, deep down, at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean lies a secret place.” So begins this engaging informational poetry book on the wonders found in the Mariana Trench. Vampire squids, Seadevil anglerfish, Giant Goblin sharks? How do we find out what lives there? You must go down, down deep in a submersible to find out. This slim book is loaded with fascinating details about fish, eels, plants that make this place home. Complementing the text are wondrous illustrations by Juan Calle. There is a disclaimer in the book that states that “though the illustrations were researched and accurate, they are not scientifically rendered and may not be drawn to scale.” Included more facts about the Mariana Trench. A great book to share with students of all ages who are fascinated by what live deep, deep down in the deep, dark ocean.

The Nonfiction Detectives - Louise Capizzo