Flying Deep: climb inside deep-sea submersible ALVIN by Michelle Cusolito. Illustrated by Nicole Wong unpgd. Charlesbridge, March, 2018. 9781580898119. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)
Fact Friday Features Flying Deep: Climb inside deep-sea submersible ALVIN by Michelle Cusolito. Work inside ALVIN is not for the claustrophobic. The tiny vessel barely fits three scientists and does its work miles under the sea where it is very cold and very dark. Luscious language in a log-book style give readers a "you are there" vibe. The digitally rendered illustrations provide a feast for the eyes.
Even though photographic illustrations are becoming more common in informational literature, there is something to be said for artistic rendering. The art here is lush and atmospheric. The need to turn the book perpendicularly to view and read adds to the feeling of deep diving.
The backmatter is terrific. There's a very detailed and interesting author's note, an illustrator's note, some additional ALVIN facts, a glossary, an explanation of some of the organisms featured in the book, four books, a film and some websites, including the author's Pinterest Board.
Flying Deep is a great book to introduce any number of STEM lessons and sure to inspire budding oceanographers! This is the author's picture book debut and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Way to Glow: amazing creatures that light up in the dark by Lisa Regan. 48 p. Scholastic Inc., December, 2015. 9780545906616.
Do I really need two books on bioluminescence in my library? Yes! I recently read and enjoyed Glow by W.H. Beck, which was quietly stunning. Way to Glow is loud and in your face and crammed with facts, some of which are enclosed in "air" bubbles as a neat design feature. Each example of bioluminescence is given a double-page spread. If the page number is surrounded by a star, and the reader holds the page to a light source for 30 seconds, then retreats to a darkened space, the reader is treated to glow in the dark effects. And, yeah, they are pretty cool.
Each set of end-pages features a different bioluminescent animal - one sea and one of the few land animals in a full-color double-page spread. The double-page spreads for the mostly sea creatures feature dramatic photos like the decapod shrimp repelling a predator by shooting light out of its mouth - hence the nickname fire-breathing shrimp. The firefly and the click beetle are the only land animals.
Unfamiliar words are in yellow and defined in a short glossary at the end of the book. My only complaint? No source notes or suggestions for further reading, just photo credits smooshed on the title page. Still, this attractively designed, informative introduction should have appeal for a variety of readers. Display it prominently.
by Bradley Hague. 48 p. National Geographic, September, 2012. 9781426310676. (Purchased)
What on Earth is left to explore? Why, the world of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Apparently, the first one was discovered in 1977 and scientists have been searching for and studying them ever since thinking they may answer evolutionary questions. So far, only a few hundred have been located but it is hypothesized that there may be tens of thousands to be discovered.
The picture book format belies the depth and complexity of the text here as the audience is decidedly middle school and above. A variety of full-color photographs, maps and text bubbles, some literally enclosed in water bubbles engage and fascinate, but will require close reading and frequent consultation of the glossary. A page of resources, four web sites and six books, invite readers to learn more.
This week, Non-Fiction Monday is hosted by Playing by the Book.
