Down, Down, Down

Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

Bibliography

Jenkins, Steve. 2009. DOWN, DOWN, DOWN: A JOURNEY TO THE BOTTOMN OF THE SEA. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Hartcourt. ISBN 9780618966363

Plot Summary

In Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea, Steve Jenkins takes readers on a fascinating descent through the ocean’s layers. Each page introduces readers to the extraordinary creatures that live at different depths, from playful dolphins and shimmering jellyfish to eerie bioluminescent fish and giant squid. With his signature cut-paper collage illustrations and concise, engaging text, Jenkins reveals the wonder, danger, and beauty that exist far beneath the waves. 

Critical Analysis

Steve Jenkins invites readers onto a journey of scientifically accurate yet striking art styles. The informational sidebars, depth markers, and scale comparisons enhance the comprehension for students and make it easy for them to visualize the vastness of the ocean.

Beyond the striking visuals, his language also invites students to become curious. His descriptions balance facts with wonder. It also encourages prediction and inquiry by allowing the students to guess which creatures might come next. 

Review Excerpts

Starred Review from Children’s Literature: “Jenkins uses his remarkably realistic cut and torn paper collages to depict in detail many of the creature that inhabit the ocean.”

Connections

This book is perfect for sparking curiosity during a science or research unit. I can imagine reading it aloud as students track the descent using a labeled ocean-depth chart. Students can also create their own “ocean zones” bulletin board filled with the animals they discover in the text. I would encourage students to write their own short journey stories describing what they might see, hear, or feel if they were diving into the deep sea. 


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