Beasts from the Deep

by Matt Ralphs, Kaley McKean (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books

96 pages, Hardcover

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This compendium of information on unusual ocean life, decorated with vivid and colorful double page images, takes readers into the layers beneath the familiar sunlight zone.  A short essay introduces this unusual habitat and briefly discusses the challenges of studying it. Readers can then rotate the book vertically to view an infographic that shows the five ocean layers, their relative depth, and some of the creatures they’ll meet as they descend over successive pages. For each animal, a giant digital illustration dominates the center of the two-page spread, straddling the gutter and reaching right to the edge of the book.  After an overview in a large font below the animal’s name, scattered paragraphs across the pages focus on several of its  distinctive features. The Greenland shark (midnight zone) can live to be 500 years old while the giant oarfish (twilight zone) may be the source of sea monster legends. The tripod fish (abyssal zone) stalks prey on three spindly fins while the cusk eel (hadal zone) is the world’s deepest diving fish. The engrossing illustrations do a great job of highlighting unusual adaptations and placing the animals in their habitats. Back matter includes a closing essay about protecting sea life, a glossary, and an index. The book was created in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and its Museum of Zoology; Dr. Rosalyn Wade (from the Museum) and Dr. Helen Scales (a marine biologist) are thanked for their contributions and advice. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Tracy Lander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful non fiction for children.

illustrations and detail of text perfect for primary and above.
Some very weird creatures!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful look at the unusual creatures that live deep underwater.
The illustrations are lovely and fit in well with the text. A must for all libraries

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

creepy animals from down deep.