In the Deep Dark Deep

by Ben Joel Price

In this sequel to Earth Space Moon Base, Monkey, Robot, and Deep-Sea Diver embark on a dangerous underwater quest! The jellyfish and spider crabs they encounter are the least of their worries as they search the depths for missing starfish in their bathysphere, the Guppy.   Ben Joel Price’s cheeky rhymes and limited yet striking palette evoke an enchanting world that will give young readers the explorer’s bug!

Genres: Picture Books, Adventure, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2015

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to like this dude's books more than I do. The art has a lot going for it, but the story not so much.

[Gabrielle Zenin ❤︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my sister gave me this book, I was like, "ughhh Science Fiction." It's not a genre I have a liking to because others ruined it for me. Now I'm like, "Huh....Science Fiction." Instead of restoring something that once was, she created a new for me 🌷🩰🩷.
I am so delighted with In The Deep Dark Deep by Ben Joel Price. I love graphic novels but this one took a turn on me. The illustrations are so beautifully done. Especially the starfish and the clown fish (if you know....then...you know). I'm not a fan of octopuses or anything that crawls, so you know how eeked out I was when I saw those 🥲. I read this novel while listening to one of my Anson Seabra's playlist and if it's one thing Anson can do or any indie artist, is storytelling 🙌🏼.
My takeaway from all this?
In the midst of trouble they all decided to stick together no matter the outcome. That's....love I think? I don't know really. Maybe an act of it. Guess I'll just have to figure that part out 🌙.
The author dedicated this novel to his parents, so, hearts out to you who have someone or people in your life who are willing to walk through fire with and for you. You are more than lucky🫂. Don't take it for granted.

Remember, remember, remember, please just remember, we are all going through life and we are all aware of the challenges that comes with that, BE KIND💌. I know someone might piss you off or make you feel as if you're less, but your kindness will always be the reward and the reflection of how beautiful you are. I never said to be a pushover, I said to be kind, or at least try to😘.


🩰🎀
I wonder if Queen Elizabeth ever got that birthday present???

[Beatrice Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art style is good and I really like the deep underwater atmosphere and setting. However the rhyming gets in the way of it. Seems a little forced. The characters aren't that well defined especially in how they are drawn. The creatures they meet underwater are creepy and cool. But the flow of the adventure and the text is kind of a miss. I really don't understand what they are doing from scene to scene.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this artwork; deep blacks and strong ink lines. But I couldn't follow this story at all. A monkey and a robot take a submarine to investigate some mystery. There's clownfish in clown regalia, a giant squid and an even giant-er eel. And the unclear mission is somehow resolved.

I'd love to see this artist illustrate something written by someone else.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I gave up on this one about half way through because I didn’t like the rhymes. They were slant rhymes, and those are harder to read aloud. It’s not good for storytime and I wasn’t interested in it personally.

[(M)Sharahyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative, unique illustration! Another thing I appreciate about this book is the vocabulary. Words like meander, labyrinth, and persevere. More children’s books need a variety of vocabulary. A book of night blooming flowers would be an outstanding addition to this authors creative style.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are really pretty and the words/story were okay at first but then kind of lost me. Might be more fun to read aloud? Possibly?

[Darinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monkey, Robot, and Deep-Sea Diver go on an underwater adventure. Bold artwork. Fun, rhyming text in a dark story.

[Kiyoko · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars for the artwork, which gave us a lot of creative, imaginative discussion. But the prose was confusing.

[Karrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Graphic and cute underwater tale, I just can’t get over calling a group of jellyfish dessert.

[Roi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follow up to 'Earth Space Moon Base' goes for a somewhat darker tone while still being charming as you like. Bought it for my niece and the tone of the book has developed so that it connects with her sensibilities perfectly. Price's artwork has also evolved and I feel he has really settled into a groove in regards to his visual identity - my only hope is that he stretches his pen and perhaps does a comic, or something more adult as I could see his linework really adapting well to that medium. Highly recommended.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the creator of Earth Space Moon Base, this picture book from the United Kingdom takes readers far beneath the surface of the sea as Spaceman, Robot, and Monkey solve the mystery of why the sea has become so dark. I really enjoyed going along the voyage and finding out the starfish have been trapped in an eel's belly. The text is so-so, but the illustrations were filled with all sorts of interesting colors, and left me feeling that I really was along for the ride.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Price takes young readers deep into the ocean as aquanauts go in search of the missing starfish. Prince captures the ocean depths with gorgeous dark tones and contrasting light elements. Readers see a variety of sea creatures along the way, but the narrative story doesn't little to illuminate the reader about the content of the ocean depths. Pretty to look at but less to offer as a story or informational resource.

[Christine Turner]

1. The artwork is very interesting; the illustrations have a Dr. Seuss feel to them at times.
2. I Dislike the font.
3. The high gloss paper will make it extremly difficult for some children to read; especially, if they are in a room that has fluorescent lights overhead.


Subject:
Stories in rhyme -- Juvenile fiction.
Underwater exploration -- Juvenile fiction.
Submarines (Ships) -- Juvenile fiction.
Divers -- Juvenile fiction.
Robots -- Juvenile fiction.
Monkeys -- Juvenile fiction.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. I loved the ease of the rhymes. My preschooler was able to finish the sentences due to their simplicity. I also was impressed with the use of less common vocabulary. A great teaching tool. Now, those illustrations were WAY to busy for this book. It was as if my eyes just couldn't decide where to look. I still gave it 3 stars, though.

[Carla Glover · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this sequel to Earth Space Moon Base, Monkey, Robot, and Deep-Sea Diver embark on a dangerous underwater quest! The jellyfish and spider crabs they encounter are the least of their worries as they search the depths for missing starfish in their bathysphere, the Guppy.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deep sea adventure in this sequel to Earth Space Moon Base. Great illustrations, so-so text.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun exploration and mystery to solve. Loved the the illustrations and the explosive resolution.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the illustrations are very scary. Also you don't know what the mystery is unless you read the endpapers.

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the pictures. Not the story.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply awful! "Cheeky" rhymes? More like unoriginal drivel published only to sell more books by the author of Earth Space Moon Base.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

the colors, and the art are so pretty

not sure i would read this to a child bc the story is so boring, but definitely visually appealing

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 1 out of 5]

What has taken the light from the deep sea?

[Courtney Huskisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

You never know what's lurking in the deep....

I really enjoy Price's rhyming in his books. This was not exception. Though I think I still prefer "Earth Space Moon Base" the most.

[Heather Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

megan spring reading 2016, children's book, picture book, adventure, underwater, stars, light, sea, prek, kindergarten, first grade

[Rani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monkey, Robot, and deep-sea diver encounter the deep, unseen parts of the sea... Amazing find!

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 2 out of 5]

5* art
2* story

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a fabulous opening line. And then it is all downhill after that.

[Becca Bankston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and intense way to look at exploring under the sea. The traits for this book would be Word choice definitely: meanders,gooey, ghostly, scuttling, barnacle-battered...
Sentence fluency would also be included, this book has a nice rhythm to it that makes reading easy to follow. I leveled using Lexile (AD820L) and DRA (6)

[Bethany.Alvarez94gmail.Com]

Exploring oceans is definitely done differently in this book. It takes you on an adventure through the ocean floor and exploring different areas. The illustrations make the word choice come to life as well. It is fun also because it rhymes!

Lexile: AD820L
DRA: 6
6+1 Traits: Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Illustrations