Gilbert in Deep

by Jane Clarke, Charles Fuge

What happens when hide and seek turns into hide and DEEP? When Gilbert, everyone’s favorite loveable great white shark, and his fishy friend Rita the remora get bored with their usual game, they decide to go over the edge of the reef and into the deep where it’s dark and dangerous, and where Gilbert’s mother warned them never to venture. Since Gilbert claims to be fearless, he and Rita dare to explore the unknown depths of the sea.
Charles Fuge’s beautiful, mysterious illustrations glow with a sea-dappled light. He and author Jane Clarke have created an action-packed tale that transports readers on an exotic adventure.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, School, Storytime, Animals

29 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2007

About the author

See also pseudonym Hayley Daze.

Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. From 1972 to 1975 Jane attend the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.

On 5 November 1977 Jane married Chemical Engineer Martin Clarke, whose work took them to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Wales and the Netherlands. Together they raised two sons, Andrew and Robert (both born in Wales).

During her doctoral studies Jane lectured at University College London (1978–79). Thereafter she lectured at University College Cardiff in Wales part time (1981–83), and also taught history at Bryn Hafren School in Barry, Wales (1979–83). After Jane moved with her family to the Netherlands (Koewacht), she began working part time as a librarian at the Antwerp International School. It was during this time when she started her career as a children’s author.

Jane’s husband, Martin, died of a heart attack in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 December 2001. In June 2005, Jane moved from the Netherlands back to Kent (near Deal) in England where she now lives.

Aside from writing children’s books, Jane spends a significant amount of time inspiring children to read and write. She frequently visits schools throughout the UK and Europe to do so.

Jane Clarke is a team writer on three different popular series. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press), Puddle the naughtiest puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)

Jane has also done support work for various charitable organisations including Ellenor Lions Children’s Hospice, Institute of Cancer Research (The Clapham Grand), Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and READ (promotes reading in Africa).

Reviews

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Gilbert is told by his mother to never venture over the edge of the reef into the deep where it's dark and dangerous. When our great white shark and his friend Rita, the remora get bored with their usual pastimes they decide to test out how fearless they really are!

The illustrations are deceptive at first with their pastel brilliance of the upper ocean floor. As Gilbert and Rita venture into the deep it gets darker and creepier! And its totally BRILLIANT! The art is just gorgeous... my nephew and I just love great art as it really makes the story come alive. And he particularly LOVES sharks so was totally enthralled.

My nephew is at the age when dialogue is super fun and we NEED to make the voices of the different characters. He didn't even realize how many words he read because it was so, so fun! It was also quite emotional how the two friends got scared and lost and confused. How relieved we all were that Gilbert's mom realized something was up!

Honestly the message in this book makes it a real winner too. It's good to explore and be curious and want to learn. There are also consequences to disobedience. I think the best part was that Mom did NOT discipline Gilbert and Rita making their experience over the edge the primary memory. There is NO resentment toward Mom for punishing them. They remember the fear and confusion instead.

I feel like this book could spawn countless conversations at many ages, as a result it would be perfect for a home library! My nephew was initially interested because of the sharks and he got such a great lesson from a character he admired... There is also the fact a friend went along with Gilbert that could spawn conversations about peer pressure and following a beloved friend in doing something you know is wrong.

BOTTOM LINE: The power of such a nuanced story is far reaching!

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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my picture book reviews in a special feature called Boo's Picture Gallery...

[Re • · Rating 3 out of 5]

1/30
this was short and cute, a big ol shark and i think a moray eel, they learn their lesson to listen to mom.

[Shelby Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book addresses ideas of exploring beyond our fears, but also makes children consider the consequences of breaking the rules. I'm glad this book showed that Gilbert's mother was worried about him when was in the deep ocean because it might give children a reason to only explore where they are allowed to.
Topics: ocean, exploring, friendship, meeting new people, breaking rules, playing hide-n-seek, consequences, fears, trust.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert In Deep is a short story by Jane Clarke that I used in my preschool classrooms and had it in the CD listening center for the children to use during free time.

It is a nice story to use as a lead into a discussion to what happens when young sharks or children do not listen to the warnings of their parents or other adults to keep them safe. The children often asked for me to read it during circle time and it was a favorite in my preschool classroom.

[Kelley Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Lots of assonance, would be great for a lesson on how authors use sound in an evocative way. A little long for a read aloud and activity, but it would definitely be a popular series among my shark loving patrons.

[Robert Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful underwater scenes highlight the adventures of a shark and an eel as they venture into the dark deep waters off of their reef home, against Mom's instructions. A lesson will be learned about going where you don't belong, and listening to your mother.

[Meghan Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Gilbert does get chastised for disobeying his mother, I feel the story is far too lenient on why one should follow safety rules.

[Lucy-May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for me & the children I work with, & it reinforces why children should listen to their grown-ups - what more could you want?!

[Dominika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always have to smile when i open this book. Story about a little adventure/trip over The Edge. I like an adventure from time to time myself;-)

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book totally makes me feel like Gilbert's mom. The entire book I kept thinking, that's not a good idea. ha!

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's about a shark that got lost in a cave and his mum said he was in deep trouble. I learned 2 new words: gravelly and indignantly, so that was good. It is a great book so get it.

[Elle]

Illustrations are straight bomb, absolutely beautiful. Obviously the subject and style of writing is a little juvenile, but illustrations are stunning and that's all I cared about.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is fine but it’s nothing too creative or unique.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilbert and a friend go out to play. They find it too boring to stay where Gilbert's mom tells them to. They encounter some dangerous/scary situations. They worry his mom. I was glad at the end that they get in trouble for misbehaving instead of sneaking home without getting caught. This is obviously very much my perspective as a parent.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a resident shark fan, Gilbert is a nice character to visit our house. Gilbert and his friend Rita Remora are cautioned about going in the deep. Do they listen? Illustrations add to the enjoyment of the story because Gilbert is always grinning a sharky grin. The other fish are well depicted.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a companion to the "Finding Nemo" story with a great white shark and his friend venturing off the "edge" of the reef - even after his mom told him not too. He meets other strange fish and gets a talking to by his mother. Simple and cute.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun undersea look at the repercussions of disobeying your parents and the reasons behind parental boundaries and warnings. Although nothing bad happens to Gilbert and his friend, Rita, they did scare themselves and hopefully learned a lesson. Our girls enjoyed this book.

[Kitap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Gilbert, a little great white shark and his remora friend Rita swim into the Deep, against Mama Shark's instructions. They meet a weird new friend in the dark and learn a little something about fearlessness. Great illustrations (who knew that sharks could be cute?).

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story and illustrations. I am going to use this in storytime next week. Folkmannis has a large shark puppet. I am sure this will be a hit.

[Annabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little fun story

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly the best shark picture book I've ever read. I adored the illustrations.