DOWN, DOWN, DOWN: A JOURNEY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA by Steve Jenkins

Review by: Christi De Leon

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2009. ISBN 9780618966363

PLOT SUMMARY

This informational book begins at the water’s surface and descends down through the ocean until reaching the floor. Details about each zone are given on the way down. Examples of creatures and sea life are also shown throughout the zones. More specific information about the creatures is given at the end of the book.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this concept book, readers can escape “down, down, down” into an exploration deep into the ocean that is both fascinating and informative.  The author, Steve Jenkins, is known for writing stunning informational books that are also abundant with accurate facts like this one. In a Q & A with Steve Jenkins, he discusses the extensive ocean research conducted prior to creating this book. He also notes sources in a bibliography at the end of the book.

The layout of this book takes readers on a journey by traveling down to the deepest place in the sea. Each page contains a labeled sidebar that extends into the ocean to show the depth and temperature of the presented zone. Subheadings introduce the specific aspects of each zone. A reference aid at the end of the book provides diagrams comparing the size of each creature to an adult’s hand or human body. A small image of each zone shows creatures labeled by number. Below the image, the corresponding number contains additional details about the creature. This information is well organized and comprehensible.

At first glance, readers see a captivating cover with fish and other striking creatures woven through the letters in a way that almost appears three dimensional. Inside, illustrations have the same extraordinary effect consisting of cut and torn paper collage. The illustrations of the creatures not only complement the text, but they are clearly labeled in all capital letters. The design effectively communicates where certain creatures tend to reside along with the amount of light in each zone. Each illustration has its own details to offer. For instance, the Deep-Sea Lizardfish lives in the dark zone and reveals teeth that are sharp like needles. As light fades with the turn of each page, the reader is eventually led to the Marianas Trench, which holds the deepest spot in the entire sea.

This book has a style that keeps the reader’s attention in an exciting way, without providing too much information. The author’s interest in ocean exploration is made apparent through the clear presentation of facts and illustrations on every page. Appropriate vocabulary is consistent throughout the book giving readers a great learning experience.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From The Horn Book: "Jenkins takes his signature collage to the oceans, sinking readers from the surface of the Pacific Ocean down nearly 11,000 meters to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. His style works well here: with passage into each zone (from the surface to the sunlit zone to the twilight zone, etc.), the blue backgrounds shade darker and murkier, which allows the intricate cut-paper animal illustrations to pop."

From School Library Journal: "Depicted in Jenkins's signature handsome collages, the denizens of each level swim against ever-darkening backgrounds ranging from sunny blue to deepest black… he bold views tend to emphasize the weirdness of these little-known species, but the repeated message that humans have much to explore and learn in the deeper ocean is intriguing and inviting."

CONNECTIONS

Gather other Steve Jenkins books to read such as:

Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do. ISBN 0544233514

Eye to Eye: How Animals See The World. ISBN 0547959079

Gather other books about the ocean to read such as:

Johnson, Rebecca L. Journey into the Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures. ISBN 076134148X

Pallotta, Jerry. The Ocean Alphabet Book. ISBN 0881064521

Possible activities:

Pair with a science lesson about the ocean habitat.

Read another nonfiction book on the same topic and compare the two books.