Way Down Deep (All Aboard Science Reader) - Softcover

Grade 1-3?A basic introduction to the ocean depths. DeMuth begins with the strange monsters that early sailors believed to inhabit the ocean waters. She then highlights some of the unusual creatures that actually live there. The differences in water coloration and the use of submersibles and robots to explore areas where divers can not go are touched upon. In a few instances, the text borders on anthropomorphism and simplistic teleological explanations for events that occur. For example, "When a meal passes by, the fish are ready to grab it" and "The angler has dinner." Even though the information is interesting, the text is overly ambitious, trying to cover geographical formations, deep sea creatures, exploration, and the "rich metals" that can be found at the ocean bottom. Average-quality full-color illustrations provide clarification and contribute to the overall appeal. An adequate choice for primary-graders seeking nonfiction titles that they can read.?Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 1^-3. Whether classified as an easy reader or as science information, this illustrated book in the All Aboard Reading series is a lively introduction to the landscape at the bottom of the ocean and the creatures who live there and the way we find out about them. Bright blue-green pictures show robots going into the deepest trenches, where they find a variety of creatures, including the viperfish, with lights right inside its mouth, and the giant squid, with huge green eyes bigger than a man's fist. There are sea slugs and tripod fish that walk along the bottom, and there's the sea cucumber that sucks up mud like a vacuum cleaner. Demuth explains the marvel of how lava heats seawater to the boiling point in some places and how spider crabs as big as dinner plates settle near the hot water. Kids will see that reading can introduce them to an amazing world and may go on to find out more in other books and other media. Hazel Rochman