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Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea

Name: Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea
Author: Jan Peck
ISBN: 9780689851100

by Jan Peck, Valeria Petrone

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Overview

Way down deep

in the deep blue sea,

there's a lot to find.

I guarantee!

Come on! Be brave!

Just follow me!

And let's explore

the deep blue sea!

A child explores the treasures of the deep blue sea from the safety of a bathtub.

Synopsis

Way down deep

in the deep blue sea,

there's a lot to find.

I guarantee!

Come on! Be brave!

Just follow me!

And let's explore

the deep blue sea!

Publishers Weekly

As he hunts for treasure in what is ostensibly the titular locale, the narrator of this familiar-seeming book, a wide-eyed redhead, meets a world of aquatic friends. "Way down deep in the deep blue sea,/ I spy an octopus waving at me," writes Peck (The Giant Carrot), as the boy does an arabesque on one of the creature's undulating appendages. "Hello, octopus./ Gimme eight, octopus./ See you later, octopus." In each bottom-right corner, the words "Swim away" beckon readers to turn the page for another undersea encounter. Finally, the boy spots the golden trove of pirate's booty; unfortunately, a shark with a toothy grin guards it. It's time to make a quick exit-after politely bidding goodbye to his pals, of course-and surface to... the bathroom, where Mom awaits with a fluffy towel, and a final illustration reveals the true identity of the sea creatures (tub toys). Petrone (Ducks in Muck) renders the undersea world in bright, saturated colors and strong, rounded shapes, often giving the boy the exaggeratedly wide face of a Dan Yaccarino character. Given the deliberately repetitive text and the absence of tension, even in the "scary" parts, this book seems best for youngest picture-book fans. Ages 3-6. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

About the Author, Jan Peck

Jan Peck has written stories and articles in Highlights for Children, Boys' Life, Humpty Dumpty, and Turtle magazines. In adition, she is the author of The Giant Carrot, illustrated by Barry Root, and her story "The Perfect Dog" is in the best-selling book Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul. Her previous picture book with Simon & Schuster is Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. She resides in Texas.

Valeria Petrone has illustrated several books for children, including Ducks in Muck by Lori Haskins, Say Cheese! by Nancy Smiler Levinson, and Uh-Oh! by Marion Dane Bauer. She is the illustrator for Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo and, most recently, illustrated Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. She currently lives in Italy.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-In a singsong text, a little boy describes his adventure into the deep blue sea. He plays peekaboo with a hermit crab and fences with a swordfish until he eventually discovers a pirate's treasure chest, but he leaves most of it behind when he meets what's on the next page-a shark. Still, he manages to bring a coin back up to his mother, who is waiting for him at the surface. The last page shows all of the animals left behind looking a little less intimidating as they float in the bathtub. Although the concept is fun and the bubbly illustrations are colorful, the book falters due to the text's occasionally bumpy rhythm. "Way down deep in the deep blue sea,/I spy a sea horse racing by me./Hello, sea horse./Giddy-up, sea horse./See you later, sea horse./Swim away." While this offering provides big illustrations, plenty of repetition, and good opportunities for interaction with children during storytime, it may not garner as much enthusiasm from kids as other similar titles, such as Linda Ashman's Rub-a-Dub Sub (Harcourt, 2003).-Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A familiar premise feels unexpectedly fresh in this engaging underwater adventure. The unnamed narrator, a carrot-topped boy, dives repeatedly, meeting and greeting a different animal each time as he searches for treasure. Pleasingly rhythmic verses and a repeating refrain move the story along smoothly. Digitally rendered double-page illustrations resemble oil paintings, with big broad brushstrokes and bold, brightly colored images. The font is well chosen, enhancing the playful tone yet still clear and easy to read, a particularly impressive achievement given that the text most often appears on a blue background. Few readers will be surprised to discover that the seahorse, starfish, shark, and other animals found in this "sea" are actually tub toys. But because this revelation is not the point of the story, young listeners will likely enjoy tagging along on this imaginary journey more than once. Dive on in, the water's fine. (Picture book. 3-6)