DOWN, DOWN, DOWN by Steve Jenkins

Bibliographic Data

Jenkins, Steve.  2009.  DOWN, DOWN, DOWN:  A JOURNEY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.  Boston:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.  ISBN:  9780618966363

Plot Summary

Gear up for an exhilarating learning adventure as author Steve Jenkins invites you to explore the deepest depths of the ocean while educating you to the fullest with facts, figures, and images about this amazing body of water that covers most of our Earth.  Many surprises await you as you plunge downward towards the very bottom of the Mariana Trench at 35,838 feet.  Reaching this final destination will only wet your appetite, as you will want to take this trip again and again!

Critical Analysis

It is evident from the meticulously detailed text that Jenkins has performed extensive research on the ocean and its life forms.  Ocean zones, measurements of depth and temperature, animals and their descriptive behaviors all contribute to making this a quality informational text for young people. 

The text is condensed and confined to a small section of each two page spread, allowing the illustrations to draw the reader’s interest prior to delving into the technical details of the ocean habitat.  The non-fiction text features truly enhance the reading, even to the very back matter where further information can be found about each animal mentioned in the book.  Every life form is clearly labeled and beautifully represented in colorful and textured torn paper collage.  Succinct yet intriguing headings prepare the reader to use their schema prior to reading on.  On the right side of each two page spread is a measurement bar, which notes how far down you are traveling into the ocean and identifying the oceanic zone you currently occupy.  As you turn each page, the background gets darker, just as it would if you descend deeper and deeper towards the ocean floor.

Bursting with scientific facts and data, this educational ocean adventure has certainly not been “watered-down” for adolescent learners – there is much to be learned and discovered on this journey to the depths of the sea.

Review Excerpts

"In this plunge into the deep, Jenkins displays his usual keen awareness of what is fascinating about biology and imparts it without sensationalism—the facts speak for themselves . . Sophisticated cut- and torn-paper collage-work fit the alien qualities of the subjects well; it’s equally at home capturing the tiered needlepoints of lizardfish teeth as it is delivering an impressive and illuminating display of bioluminescence."--Booklist

“Browsers will be delighted by the variety of species, shown in their appropriate colors although not to scale. Backmatter provides some information about the animals pictured, including sizes compared to a human body or hand, although the bibliography does not seem to include the sources used for those facts. Once again, Jenkins provides an almost irresistible entry into our natural world for the youngest readers.”--Kirkus Reviews

"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."--Horn Book

"Depicted in Jenkins's signature handsome collages, the denizens of each level swim against ever-darkening backgrounds ranging from sunny blue to deepest black . . . The 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."--School Library Journal

Connections

• Use with a  study on ocean habitat and life forms
• Read poetry about the ocean and ocean life to extend learning
• Research a new animal from the text
• Research the Mariana Trench
• Compare with another non-fiction text on this topic that includes photographs

Awards and Honors

• Cybils Award Nominee for Nonfiction Picture Books (2009)
• CCBC Choices Selection (2010)
• ALSC Noteable Children’s Book – Commended (2010)