In the Deep Dark Deep

July 13, 2015
Price follows Earth Space Moon Base with another improbable escapade as the Guppyâa deep-sea capsule piloted (as before) by a human, a monkey, and a robotâembarks on a mission to find out why the sea has gone dark. Throughout, realistic detail alternates cheerfully with bonkers science (the sea has gone dark, they discover, because a giant eel has sucked up all the starfish), all cast in sturdy verse. In a series of undersea scenes, dark swirls of ocean currents are shot through with bursts of teal, lime, and magenta. The story's faux suspense is leavened with gentle humor, such as when the ship passes an undersea circus troupe featuring clownfish, a mussel weightlifter, and a seahorse carousel. Cinematic views mean that readers can see the threats that menace the ship before its occupants do. There's a wealth of action and a boatload of imaginative energy as Price lets ever-loopier ideas rise to the surface: "Releasing gas from their scuba tanks,/ they create an almighty... burp!" A sequel that improves on its predecessor in every respect. Ages 3â7. Agent: Isabel Atherton, Creative Authors.

May 15, 2015
The unlikely trio from Earth Space Moon Base (2014) now has a mystery to solve-this time in the dark depths under the sea. The water has lost its light, and it is up to Robot, Monkey, and Deep-Sea Diver (formerly Astronaut; a person of many talents) to find out why. They plunge down deep in their submarine, the Guppy. Amid the shadowy black, purple, and cool blue hues they spy a slimy green trail. The best course of action is to follow it. This world is much more cluttered than the lunar landscape of the previous adventure; the sea teems with sharks, jellyfish, crabs, and large, swaying tentacles-in a nod to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea-from an attacking squid. A new creature lurks behind every shadow. "Beyond the ancient ruins / buried deep among the weeds, / the slimy trail comes to an end. / But where does it all lead?" The mystery is revealed: millions of starfish are trapped inside a large (and slightly terrifying) eel. The team keeps its cool and figures out a solution-of the gastrointestinal variety. Happily, the sea is illuminated once again, and the palette brightens in a celebratory conclusion. A sense of urgency never really develops, however; the delightfully creepy sea creatures keep the pages turning, not the meandering plot. Visually striking but not so rich in the story department (Picture book. 4-7)

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October 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-In this follow-up to Earth Space Moon Base (Random, 2014), Monkey, Robot, and Deep-Sea Diver plumb the depths of the ocean floor to find some missing starfish. With no light to guide them, they search the vast and dark waters, their only clue an oozing green trail to follow deeper into the depths. While on their hunt, the trio discover unusual sights like a deep sea circus and overcome obstacles like a giant squid attack: a perfect mix of both ridiculousness and adventure. A limited purple and blue color palette provide a murky feel, while the heavy shading gives the bizarre creatures an intense look against vibrant backdrops. After the heroes solve the mystery and release the imprisoned starfish, the darkness disappears and the ocean comes to life in extraordinary color, as the three move on to their next adventure. Price's vivid word choice, comparing a smack of jellyfish to a "labyrinth of dessert," for example, will give storytellers a lot to work with as the team plunges further and further into the unknown. VERDICT Dive head first into this one.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI

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