Book Review – DOWN, DOWN, DOWN:
A JOURNEY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve. 2009. DOWN, DOWN, DOWN : A JOURNEY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780618966363
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Down, down, down you will go as you journey into more than 35,000 feet deep into the ocean, encountering up to 50 species of sea creatures along the way. Steve Jenkins provides a look into the underwater life that animals face in everyday survival. So take a deep breath as you plunge into various zones and learn about these often overlooked, misunderstood, or just plain undetected predators and prey.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Author/illustrator Steve Jenkins captures what it is like to travel all the way from the surface to the ground floor of the world’s deepest ocean. Descriptive language along with his cut-and-torn paper collage, which used calming colors to complement the sea, definitely helps readers create a visual. The facts stated in a documentary style, yet intriguing manner, gives perspective and peaks curiosity. When it was said that “Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the globe’s surface” and “The Pacific Ocean… [has] an area greater than the earth’s dry land combined” one cannot help but to wonder why we as humans don’t think about life beyond land as much (being that it is the predominant make-up of the earth). The picture of the globe helped further demonstrate the massive existence of water vs. land.
The simple comparison in the introduction of this book about the amount of water in our world compared to dry land provides an immediate hook that makes readers want to know more about sea life. Throughout the text and illustration, Jenkins introduces the names of many animals (with clever use of text outlining the inhabitants’ bodies to label each). Have you ever heard of a krill, sea lily, or swimming sea cucumber? In chronological order (by depth of feet in each level or “zone” of the ocean), these creatures and more are shown in a fascinating view of gradual fading sunlight: from various hues of blue to black.
A vertical bar on the side of nearly every other page indicates the ocean’s measurement in feet, meters, and temperature (which are important factors in who and what can survive in the deep as temperature drops and pressure rises). Manageable chunks of text highlighted by bold subheadings become a handy guide. Other access features included diagrams at the conclusion of the book which provided more information about each animal along with a comparison of their sizes to the human body. Another vertical measurement bar on the final page, preceded by a bibliography of sources, explored the depths humans and various submarines can venture. These extra touches enhance the overall organization and design of the book.
In all, this work encompasses factors that satisfies many questions, and leaves readers wanting more. Readers of various level and skill will come to appreciate what this book has to offer.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
ALA NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK 2010
TEXAS BLUEBONNET AWARD NOMINEE 2010-2011
KIRKUS: “… Jenkins provides an almost irresistible entry into our natural world for the youngest readers.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “…the repeated message that humans have much to explore and learn in the deeper ocean is intriguing and inviting.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Do additional research by browsing the books listed in the bibliography, and more. The collage illustration in this book was great, but it would be even better to see actual photographs of some of the animals.
· Students may view videos of underwater sea creatures to obtain a glimpse into sea life. Visit the following websites:
· If you like the author’s writing and illustrative style, visit this website to find other books by Steve Jenkins: http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/books.html
Other resources used:
http://www.txla.org/
http://www.kirkusreviews.com
This book review was created as an assignment for a course at
Texas Woman’s University.
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