(2) K-3 Illustrated by Nicole Wong. In a follow-up to the pair's Flying Deep (rev. 7/18), Cusolito and Wong enumerate the various ways people explore the ocean. Readers learn about the methods (e.g., snorkel, free dive, scuba) and machines (deep-sea submersibles, underwater research lab materials) humans utilize to conquer the challenges of underwater observation (these being extreme pressure and the need for breathable air). The clear expository prose of the main text is accompanied by detailed sidebars that provide extensive descriptions and facts. Double-page spreads allow Wong's digital art to set the explorers, equipment, and sea life in various ocean habitats. Cusolito centers humanity's sense of wonder and desire to learn more, focusing on the "diving we do to expand scientific knowledge, research, and communication." Extensive back matter includes a helpful (though not-to-scale) spread incorporating all the diving methods and machines found throughout the book, shown in various ocean depths. A glossary, author's note, and list of resources are also included. Curious readers will dive right in.

Reviewer: Eric Carpenter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2022

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Nicole Wong. "You" are the pilot of Alvin, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's deep-sea submersible first launched in 1965. A clear text evokes the nearly two-mile journey to the ocean floor; readers are introduced to Alvin's tasks and the nature of the deep-sea biome. Digital illustrations are both exact in their depiction of Alvin's wondrous mechanics and evocative in their survey of seemingly otherworldly deep-sea life. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2018

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Katherine Roy. Rosenstock presents a gripping account of Otis Barton and Will Beebe's historic 1930 journey into the deep ocean. Otis and Will were fascinated by ocean life as boys. As adults, they partner up, and with a team of scientists build the Bathysphere, a five-thousand-pound diving tank. Roy's fluid watercolors and dramatic perspectives capture the heart-pounding emotion of the scientists' dangerous journey eight hundred feet underwater. Bib.

Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(3) 4-6 Text by Marianne Meyer Bianchi. Undersea archaeologist Goddio seeks artifacts on the ocean floor. Detailed here are his expeditions in Egypt, searching for ancient artifacts, and the Philippines, looking for remains from the 1600 San Diego. Background information on the areas and their historical significance provides context before specific finds, along with techniques for underwater archaeology, are discussed. Plentiful photos, maps, and sidebars supplement the text.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Photographer Compoint travels the world documenting many incredible finds in scientific fields including archaeology, paleontology, and climatology. Fourteen expeditions (not all of which are technically for "buried treasure") are here documented and shown in stunning detail through his photography. Short introductory sections plus detailed captions provide adequate background information for readers.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 This cleverly designed companion to Oceanology (from the Ologies series) provides a tutorial on all things oceanic as seen during a fictional journey of the Nautilus. Written on sepia-toned pages with illustrations and diagrams in the style of nineteenth-century naturalists (or twenty-first-century steampunk), the many topics covered include ships and sailing, marine flora and fauna, and ocean geology. Pullout stickers are included.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 This book focuses on two shipwrecks: a 1700 Caribbean slave ship and an 1898 passenger steamer that went down off Cape Cod. Cerullo chronicles the ongoing undersea explorations and documentation of the vessels while also illustrating how the resulting debris has become home to myriad marine creatures. Photographs, maps, and sidebars add interest and clarity to the well-written text. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 Marine biologist David Ginsburg, posted to the Antarctic during Hanukkah, strategically arranges sea urchins and sea stars in the darkness of the ocean to create a menorah. The text, which primarily describes Ginsburg's work, is engaging; an afterword provides more information about sea urchins and the McMurdo Station. Excellent undersea photographs enhance the presentation.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) 4-6 Sheldon enthusiastically highlights naturalist William Beebe's contributions to scientific exploration and interpretation. His work included observation of animals in their natural habitats and later conservation efforts. His invention, with Otis Barton, of the bathysphere is detailed, and his writing--both scientific and popular--is noted, with some samples. Full-bleed acrylic, gouache, and India ink illustrations in saturated colors supply a vivid visual presentation. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(2) K-3 Yaccarino's picture book biography uses sinuous shapes and a retro fifties palette to evoke the beauty of Cousteau's watery domain. With spot quotations from the man himself, the text succinctly numbers his achievements. Gouache and airbrush paintings go far to convey the allure of the deep, while lots of variety in picture size and page layout keeps the book dynamic. Reading list, timeline.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2009

(3) 4-6 Sterling Biographies series. Attractive layouts and numerous images of photos, paintings, documents, etc., (e.g., Armstrong's high school yearbook entry) make for engaging, easy-to-approach biographies. Each volume begins by detailing a significant moment (Alamo for Crockett, moon landing for Armstrong, underwater anniversary party for Cousteau) then backtracks to the subject's birth to continue the detail-rich narrative. Sidebars flesh out historical contexts and important contemporaries. Source notes. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biographies titles: Neil Armstrong, Jacques Cousteau, and Davy Crockett.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures series. These books examine historic events in underwater exploration. Extreme Dive discusses an Antarctic dive to research pollution on the sea floor. Record-Setting and Submersible look at two deep-sea studies of the sea floor and its unusual creatures. Although the writing is choppy, Matsen builds tension by revealing the risks of such dives. Average-quality photos accompany the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures titles: An Extreme Dive under the Antarctic Ice, The Incredible Record-Setting Deep-Sea Dive of the [cf4]Bathysphere[cf3], and The Incredible Submersible [cf4]Alvin[cf3] Discovers a Strange Deep-Sea World.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures series. Scientist Clyde Roper has devoted his career to finding a living giant squid to no avail. Along the way he has found many clues about where these elusive creatures might be found. In a choppy text and average-quality photos, Matsen discusses Roper's search and the work of other scientists who have discovered unusual deep-sea animals. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures series. These books examine historic events in underwater exploration. Extreme Dive discusses an Antarctic dive to research pollution on the sea floor. Record-Setting and Submersible look at two deep-sea studies of the sea floor and its unusual creatures. Although the writing is choppy, Matsen builds tension by revealing the risks of such dives. Average-quality photos accompany the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures titles: An Extreme Dive under the Antarctic Ice, The Incredible Record-Setting Deep-Sea Dive of the [cf4]Bathysphere[cf3], and The Incredible Submersible [cf4]Alvin[cf3] Discovers a Strange Deep-Sea World.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) 4-6 Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures series. These books examine historic events in underwater exploration. Extreme Dive discusses an Antarctic dive to research pollution on the sea floor. Record-Setting and Submersible look at two deep-sea studies of the sea floor and its unusual creatures. Although the writing is choppy, Matsen builds tension by revealing the risks of such dives. Average-quality photos accompany the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Incredible Deep-Sea Adventures titles: An Extreme Dive under the Antarctic Ice, The Incredible Record-Setting Deep-Sea Dive of the [cf4]Bathysphere[cf3], and The Incredible Submersible [cf4]Alvin[cf3] Discovers a Strange Deep-Sea World.]

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 With exquisite photos and the voice of a storyteller, underwater photographer Pitkin chronicles her scuba diving adventures. Each spread is dedicated to a particular dive location where certain species are likely to be found, among them sea turtles, manta rays, sharks, mollusks, and hundreds of coral-dwelling tropical fish. An attractive, readable introduction to the diversity of life on a reef. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) K-3 Double-page spreads reveal the broad spectrum of life forms and objects that can be found in the ocean, including whales and coral, shipwrecks, fishing nets, and humans visiting in submarines and diving suits. The detailed illustrations are accompanied by a competently written text and sidebars that supply additional facts and anecdotes. Glos.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Marine biologist Sylvia Earle describes some of her experiences exploring life under the sea. The narrative discusses both the plant and animal life Earle has studied and the technological advances (some of which she has helped invent) that have allowed her to realize her childhood dreams of underwater discovery. Captioned color photos extend the text, which successfully conveys Earle's enthusiasm and wonder. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) 4-6 Turnstone Ocean Explorer Book series. The quest to explore the depths of the ocean is concisely related in a volume that focuses on Alvin, the submersible vehicle used to map undersea mountain ranges, examine hydrothermal vents, and find the Titanic. The text also touches on more recent developments involving remote operated vehicles and their potential for future underwater exploration. The text is clear; the color photos only sometimes are. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Though an account of the wreck of the Titanic introduces this text, many other ocean floor features and inhabitants are driving scientific and economic exploration of the deep sea. Following a history of submarine vessels, Sullivan surveys expeditions to study underwater volcanoes, mineral deposits, sea creatures, and shipwrecks. Color photos and factual asides punctuate the somewhat wordy text. Ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford