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cweichel's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be released June 8, 2021 by Tundra Books.
Benjamin Flouw highlights the beauty and expansive diversity of the oceans on our planet in this gorgeous, informative picture book.
Fox and his cousin, Wolf, are walking along a beach path. Fox is fascinated by all the plants he finds. Then a seagull, overhearing their conversation, tells the pair about the Constellation of the Deep, a rare ocean plant. Fox determines to find it. He puts on his diving suit and makes sure to bring his underwater camera. While Wolf is admiring seashore life, Fox heads off into the ocean. He traverses different kinds of ocean habitats. He explores underwater meadows, kelp forests, coral reefs, mountains, deep holes and underwater cliffs.
Benjamin Flouw highlights the beauty and expansive diversity of the oceans on our planet in this gorgeous, informative picture book.
Fox and his cousin, Wolf, are walking along a beach path. Fox is fascinated by all the plants he finds. Then a seagull, overhearing their conversation, tells the pair about the Constellation of the Deep, a rare ocean plant. Fox determines to find it. He puts on his diving suit and makes sure to bring his underwater camera. While Wolf is admiring seashore life, Fox heads off into the ocean. He traverses different kinds of ocean habitats. He explores underwater meadows, kelp forests, coral reefs, mountains, deep holes and underwater cliffs.
He asks different animals about the rare plant and eventually a grouper agrees to show him where it is.
Whether or not it is the Constellation of the Deep, they certainly discover something. Just when Fox is about to take a picture, he realizes that his camera is missing.
On his way home, Fox rescues a whale trapped in abandoned fishing nets. In turn the whale helps him return to shore.
On his way home, Fox rescues a whale trapped in abandoned fishing nets. In turn the whale helps him return to shore.
There is much I love about this book. I appreciate the environmental focus. I like the pages of labeled diagrams naming the different plants and animals found in the different habitats.
On my first read I was a bit distracted by Fox's journey from a kelp forest found in cooler waters, to a coral reef found in much warmer temperatures. As soon as I let go of this quibble, I appreciated Fox's fantastical journey across and into the different oceans of the world. I ended up admiring how much the author teaches us about ocean stewardship in this picture book.
Benjamin Flouw states that he begins by sketching out ideas and then finishes them up in photoshop. He mixes geometric shapes, patterns, textures and light to create images that range from peaceful to dramatic.
I discovered that this is a sequel to The Golden Glow, a story of Fox heading out on a search for a rare land plant.
I wonder where Benjamin Flouw will send Fox next?
Benjamin Flouw states that he begins by sketching out ideas and then finishes them up in photoshop. He mixes geometric shapes, patterns, textures and light to create images that range from peaceful to dramatic.
I discovered that this is a sequel to The Golden Glow, a story of Fox heading out on a search for a rare land plant.
I wonder where Benjamin Flouw will send Fox next?
librarianryan's review
adventurous
3.0
I love the illustrations of this book. The story however, feels like it goes nowhere. Fox does accomplish his mission of taking a picture of the glowing plant at the bottom of the sea, but there seemed to be so many missed opportunities where Fox could impart a lesson that seemed to be missed.
pagesandpurls's review
adventurous
informative
3.0
The artwork is beautiful, colourful, and captivating while offering a glimpse into marine life beneath the ocean's surface. Otherwise, Constellation of the Deep doesn't have a great storyline for readers to follow.
literary_lizard's review
5.0
As soon as I started reading this book I immediately thought of Wes Anderson films, and didn't realize until after I was finished reading that it's recommended for fans of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou!
This story was adorable, and the artwork was incredible! The book follows a Fox, who loves the ocean. He's determined to find a new, unique plant called the Constellation of the Deep, and sets out on a diving trip to find it. He finds a lot of different plants, meets various aquatic animals, saves a whale, and makes it back home safe. It's a very adventurous story, and one that is sure to spark many questions from young readers. From the different plant life to animal that you meet along the way, environmental themes, and general curiosity, there is much to learn from this book, and it's laid out in a simple way for young readers. Plus, adults will get a kick out of some of the language used.
I know that my younger self, who was dead set on growing up to be a marine biologist, would have loved this book. If you have kids at home who love to learn, you'll want to pick up this book for them.
Thank you to the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, for a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.
This story was adorable, and the artwork was incredible! The book follows a Fox, who loves the ocean. He's determined to find a new, unique plant called the Constellation of the Deep, and sets out on a diving trip to find it. He finds a lot of different plants, meets various aquatic animals, saves a whale, and makes it back home safe. It's a very adventurous story, and one that is sure to spark many questions from young readers. From the different plant life to animal that you meet along the way, environmental themes, and general curiosity, there is much to learn from this book, and it's laid out in a simple way for young readers. Plus, adults will get a kick out of some of the language used.
I know that my younger self, who was dead set on growing up to be a marine biologist, would have loved this book. If you have kids at home who love to learn, you'll want to pick up this book for them.
Thank you to the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, for a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.
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