WAY DOWN DEEP IN THE DEEP BLUE SEA

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)