Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean

by Michelle Cusolito, Nicole Wong (Illustrator)

From snorkeling to freediving, scuba, submarines, and Challenger Deep, discover the different technologies scientists use to explore the ocean in this deep-sea STEM picture book.How does ocean exploration work? What kinds of machines and equipment help researchers under the sea? How deep can we dive to find out more about the plants and animals that live in the ocean? For fans of Alvin from Flying Deep, Diving Deep introduces all the ways humans have figured out how to engage with, explore, and learn from the oceans. 

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Nonfiction, Childrens, Nature, Graphic Novels, Technology

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2022

About the author

Author. Educator. Public Speaker. Science Communicator.
Michelle Cusolito is the award-winning author of Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible ALVIN and Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean. She joined a three-week research expedition to the North Atlantic with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to research for A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone: Twenty-Four Days of Science at Sea. That expedition fueled her love of science communication and being at sea. Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and Her Mesmerizing Medusas and In the World of Whales publish in 2025. Michelle dreams of swimming with whale sharks one day. www.michellecusolito.com

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations! It's mind-blowing!

It feels like I am right there at the bottom of the ocean and exploring it's world.

Amazing book with good information and practical tips for divers and those who are interested in exploring the oceans.

Get this book. It's interesting, engaging and informative.

Thank you, Charlesbridge, for the advance reading copy.

[Irina R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The sea, once its cast its spell, holds you in its net of wonder forever"-Jacque Cousteau, ocean explorer and inventor. That's what the ocean does to us. It fills us with wonder and amazement, that are among the reasons why we dive and explore the deep sea as highlighted in this book.

This book makes a good introduction to the world of diving by giving us the readers some brief but very informative and very interesting facts about the types of diving activities, the equipments and the machines use and the oceans' depths suitable for such activities and machines/equipments.

The book started with the most basic and common activity and equipment first which is the snorkelling, by giving some brief but very important points about the maximum depths suitable for snorkelling, the time (how long we can dive safely), how many person suitable for safety along with the possible risks. Then,we descend down further into the next level of depth with another more challenging and riskier diving activities and its equipments suitable for more deeper part of the sea and keeps on descending until to the deepest part of the ocean, the Challenger Deep!.

So,reading this book feels just like we are diving deep into the ocean, whatmore with its very beautiful underwater illustrations that just illustrates each level of depths perfectly,adding more feel and intensity to the atmosphere.

I admit that even though i have known about some of the diving machines mentioned in this book from my previous reading (including from Cousteau's, The Silent World and Sylvia Earle's, The World Is Blue), it is always nice to know more which i am glad that i found from this book. I am very pleased that Charlesbridge has granted my wish to read this very interesting book!.Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.

A solid 5🌟 from me. Even the author's note is very interesting to read to me and the glossary (yes, this book also comes with a glossary).

[pit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading through this book. It conveys types of diving with brief information about them. Many I have not known before. Love the illustration and I think it really depicts the description and narration.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for giving me a chance to read the review copy.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the ARC of this!

Very interesting look at how humans dive to different levels of the ocean. Each type included some information on how deep it can go, for how long, and the dangers of using that method of diving. The illustrations were lovely and it was overall easy to read aloud to my 5 year old, who found it engaging.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Cusolito created an information-rich book about underwater exploring. It includes a little bit about exploring at more shallow levels (snorkeling for example). However, as the title suggests, it's more about how humans have developed the equipment and the knowledge to plumb further into the ocean's depths.

The artwork by Nicole Wong works with various shades of blues and greens as the backdrop for humans entering the ocean's realm. The ocean landscape on the pages are sometimes populated with rocks, plants, fish, and other marine life.

Each page has some very accessible narration accompanied by a text book with a word or phrase vital to the techniques of deep diving: i.e., Saturation Diving, Atmospheric Diving Suits, Deep-Diving Submersibles.

While not all readers will engage entirely in the text boxes with the more mature, technical language, the illustrations and the accessible storytelling will introduce readers to the subject.

"We pretzel ourselves into the cockpit of a submersible and descend to the ocean twilight zone, where little sunlight reaches. We observe the largest animal migration on earth as a wave of sea jellies and small animals moves up to the sunlit zone" (apx p. 17).

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and interesting view of how man has learned to explore the deep ocean unknown. The depths the newer devices have accomplished are pretty stunning. I appreciated that each page was broken into a more simplified, lyrical test, alongside a box with data and specifics for diving a little deeper (pun intended). There was very little focus on the creatures we usually find in the deep; this was more focused on the machines we use and innovations that drive us to search deeper. My children were struggling to keep focused on the book about 2/3 of the way through, so maybe not their topic?

Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this picture book says it all. The text by Michelle Cusolito and the magnificent illustrations by Nicole Wong provide readers of all ages with an intimate glimpse of ocean. Diving Deep is to be released in June, 2022 from Charlesbridge, but go ahead and pre-order it now!

This book will make you and your child or students say "WOW!"

"Far away from shore,
past beaches and coral reefs,
the ocean's surface conceals
Earth's last unexplored wilderness.

What drives humans to dive into the sea
and sink deeper than the last inkling of light?


The book begins with the simplest (and most shallow) way to explore the ocean (snorkeling) and ends with the most complicated and deepest (tucked inside a thick metal sphere inside a submersible). Each of the nine ways to explore the ocean are first illustrated with text that is accessible to kindergarten through second graders. Additional text on the accompanying page is aimed at third to fourth grade readers. These pages include details such as how deep the people or machine can go, how long they stay under water, how many people are involved, and also includes potential dangers.
Here is the text explaining Aquarius Reef Base which is located off the coast of Florida:

"It is slightly bigger than a city bus. Scientists who live and work in Aquarius dive to the lab using scuba gear. They live at two and a half times the pressure at sea level. Observers at the surface monitor the habitat through live video and audio feeds. By living at depth, scientists can dive for many more hours than from a boat on the surface, and they can complete research projects in less time. Before returning to the surface, they go through seventeen hours of decompression inside Aquarius. Then they swim to the surface using a small tank of air. Dangers include Aquarius system failure and DCS during quick emergency returns to the surface."

Typical depth: up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet)Time: 6 to 12 hours. Number of people: 1 to 3.
A DeepWorker submersible is like a chair with a submarine wrapped around it. As with other submersibles, the pressure inside is the same as at sea level. A clear, domed top provides a wide view, and dives last about six hours. The pilot drives with their feet, leaving their hands free to take notes or photographs. A headset allows communication with the surface. Triton 3300 submersibles carry one to three people and can dive for eight to ten hours.

The book returns full circle to the young girl and her adult companion snorkeling in a coral reef.

"Tomorrow we may
unlock more secrets of life on Earth.
The last two pages show images of individuals and machines in various water depths.

BACK MATTER
An extensive Author's Note includes Cusolito's previous work, Flying Deep, some information on her research process, and a brief history of underwater exploration. There are also notes about measurement, an extensive glossary, and a bibliography.

[Ainun Zahra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange of honest opinion.

The best part of this book are the illustrations. They are exquisite and magical! They will grab your attention from the very first page and keep you hooked. The narration is cool as well. It contains detailed information on the various methods we use undersea to explore and gather knowledge, their purposes along with pros and cons. Highly recommended for anyone who loves swimming or has deep interest in life underwater. In my case, I love ocean but disappearing under it isn't my idea of fun. I can maybe consider taking a tour in submarine, that's it. I also want to point out one more thing. I hate being fed information or simply being consciously educated because that's what normal people do. I am not normal. It is also the main reason why I prefer children nonfiction over adult nonfiction. Children nonfiction offer more entertainment, gorgeous artwork and usually told thorough a story. Everything is so great that you are not even aware that they are tricking you into learning new stuffs. That's what I love most. But in this book, there were a massive amount of information, zero amount of sugarcoating and it didn't sit well with me. I am aware I am being weird but yeah. Just my opinion. It's a lovely book nonetheless and I advise you to read it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative book, but a bit TOO technical for the intended kid audience. Writing is a bit 'adult'. e.g. pg 1:
What drives humans to dive into the sea and sink deeper than the last inkling of light?"

Each level of undersea activity looks like an index card of notes copy/pasted right into the book:
- Snorkeling
- Freediving
- Scuba Diving
- Saturation Diving
- Atmospheric Diving Suits
- Deep-Diving Submersibles
- Deeper-Diving Submersibles
- The Deepest Dive

Each gets about 2 pages, and then a summary at the end.
Feels like a middle school book, but has that picture-book style that probably files this in the Juvenile section of a library (where I found this one).
Pictures are ok for the kids, but the writing/facts aren't going to appeal well to the elementary ages.

I did like the very last graphic that shows all of these different depth levels of diving on a double-page.

Again, the science presented is good, but I think the book has a mis-match between its Juvenile picture-book type of audience, and the slightly older-reader content in the text.

3.5*

[Elles_shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving Deep by Michelle Cusolito is a children’s nonfiction picture book that tells how people explore the depths of the ocean. The illustrations are realistic and full of rich vibrant colors. The books Telesa why people explore the ocean and details specific ways that people can dive. It describes snorkeling, free diving, scuba diving, saturation diving, atmospheric diving suits, deep-diving submersibles, deeper-diving submersibles, and the Challenger Deep. It provides a nice summary for each type of diving that is written in a manner where children can understand. There is also a beautiful illustration for each type of diving. There is a glossary of terms and additional resources in the back of the book. This book is the perfect addition for a classroom library. It would be a good resource to use when discussing the oceans. It is also great for students who are simply interested in the ocean and diving.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction picture book teaches children about all of the different ways to explore the ocean. From different types of diving such as snorkeling and scuba diving to machines and technologies that work under water such as submarines, the pages of this book tell both the story of exploring the ocean in short paragraphs as well as describing each type of dive and technology in text boxes. The book concludes with an author's note, information about measurements and a glossary. As a grade 3 teacher I could definitely see this book in my classroom library. I think that it is a perfect blend of nonfiction and fiction in a very accessible and non-intimidating picture book. I would recommend this book to parents, teachers and librarians of children in the 5-10 age range. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Lynn Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving Deep combines the wonders of the ocean with the technology that allows us to explore it to greater and greater depths. The lyrical text begins with snorkeling and free diving and moves on to scientists living in an underwater lab off the coast of Florida, or manning submersibles that can withstand the crushing pressure of the deep. Young readers will enjoy the atmosphere of Nicole Wong’s illustrations and how she brings this watery world to life. As an adult, I learned details about the machines that allow us to experience the ocean—many of which I had never heard about in school. One of the closing spreads puts the depth range of the diving methods in context. A great read for kids who love the ocean and its creatures, inventions, or the history of exploration. “We’re ocean detectives solving the mysteries of the deep, and there’s so much left to uncover.”

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What drives humans to dive into the sea
and sink deeper than the last inkling of light?"

Diving Deep shares some of the trips scientists have taken beneath the waves in an effort to better understand the ocean and the life it contains. Why? "We're wired for wonder." The drive to know more about the world that occupies so much of earth's space has led to numerous developments in technology. Beginning with snorkeling and freediving, Lusolito introduces readers to the various ways humans have explored the ocean. Scuba diving and saturation diving come along followed by diving suits and submersibles. The reader follows the author and illustrator into the depths of the ocean through the eye-catching digital illustrations, poetic descriptions of the journey, and the sidebars of additional information about each exploring technique or device. I almost felt like I was there enjoying the wonders myself. And the reminder of why we do what we continue to study the world around us and the amazing discoveries yet to be made. The back matter is excellent including a map (not to scale because it wouldn't fit in the book otherwise) showing the various depths that the machines can travel to, an author's note, a note about measurements, a glossary, and a list of resources. A fabulous and fascinating introduction to the amazing world of the ocean and the human need to understand it. Highly recommended.

[Sierra Satterstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I discovered this book at my local library! As a STEM teacher I'm always on the hunt for a good book that's both engaging and informative. The illustrations in the book are eye catching and there are short informational sections dispersed throughout the book so you can learn more specifically about what is going on. For example, the character is seen swimming with a mask, fins, and a tank on their back as they explore the ocean, then there is a side textbox that explains what scuba diving is. I'll be using this with my 3rd graders, but I tested it with my newly 2nd grade son and he was able to decode the story as well. I highly recommend this to teachers or families with children interested in the ocean!

*Added bonus: There's a teacher guide with science activities you can do while reading the book.*

[Becky Scharnhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating nonfiction book about the many ways we can explore the ocean. After the introduction, each spread describes a different method of diving. It covers everything from snorkeling and free diving to deep-diving submersibles. In addition to the main text, the author includes detailed information, such as typical depth, number of people, etc. in a separate box that can be read alongside the main text or read separately later. This makes it accessible to readers of all ages. The illustrations capture the wonder and beauty of the ocean depths and makes you feel like you are diving underwater with the explorers on the page. This would make an excellent addition to classroom and home libraries, especially for ocean-loving children and adults.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book that explains how humans explore the ocean in ever increasing depths. Included along with the prose are facts about each type of underwater apparatus beginning with snorkeling and concluding with the exploration of Challenger Deep in the Pacific Ocean in a deep sea submersible. . The illustrations show the beauty and starkness of each depth of the ocean. The book includes an author's note, a glossary, website addresses to explore and what I think will be a fold out page showing the depths of the ocean and what exploration device is used at those depths. This book will be a great addition to any library.

[Ellen Leventhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What drives humans to dive into the sea and sink deeper than the last inkling of light? " So starts Michelle Cusolito's wonderful new book, DIVING DEEP.
My grandkids and I love this follow-up to FLYING DEEP. (Which we also loved) Both books are expertly written with lyrical yet informational text. DIVING DEEP shows us all the ways that people explore the ocean, from simple snorkeling to complicated submersibles. As an educator, I love the fact that there are explanations of each type of activity on the page, along with the lyrically written main text. Nicole Wong's gorgeous illustrations pair beautifully and bring the reader right into the ocean's depths. I highly recommend this book!

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book brings readers from the surface of the ocean to the deepest depths. Lyrical descriptions share the experience at each level with pullouts that describe the type of diving required. For example, there is a description of snorkeling, freediving, saturation diving, and all the way to deep diving submersibles. Each pullout also includes the typical depth of the dive, the time it takes, and the number of people involved. The text draws the reader in with fascinating insight into what it's like at a each level of the ocean. This is a book to enjoy over and over. I certainly plan to!

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What drives humans to dive into the sea and sink deeper than the last inkling of light? We're wired for wonder. We delight in discovery."⁠
⁠
Explore the ocean's secrets through snorkeling, freediving, scuba, submarines, and Challenger Deep in this brand new picture book Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean. Read through the lyrical text and explore the ocean through the stunning illustrations or dive deeper with the fact-packed sidebars throughout the book. Fascinating and fun to pour over this is one you won't want to miss!⁠
⁠

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incredibly rich and detailed illustrations are an essential contribution to the overall beauty and information provided about exploration of our massive underwater world. This is also enhanced by accessible text that inspires interest in this potential hobby or career, along with small sidebar boxes of expository statements about each type of underwater equipment, use, and safety. The consistent pattern for explaining each underwater approach and mechanical supports lends greater understanding to very complex information.

[Pamela Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

My homeschoolers read DIVING DEEP over and over again. Learning about the submersible featured in the story, increased their curiosity about other submersibles. The best part is that they’re equally fascinated with all the information in the back matter as they are with the contents of the story. And oh the story. What a lyrical engagement. It is a literary treat for the eyes with Nicole Wong's beautiful illustrations, as well as the wonderfully crafted story of Michelle Cusolito. Michelle Cusolito and Nicole Wong are one dynamic duo.

[Bridgitte Rodguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous non-fiction picture book by Michelle Cusolito and Nicole Wong. I loved the unique structure of the book, starting from people looking at the surface of the ocean, to snorklers, then divers, then scuba divers, then deep sea divers, then the various deep sea submersibles. Each page also includes a fact box about the diving method. The text itself is lyrical and engaging. The illustrations give us the experience of what we might see at the different levels of the ocean. The book comes back around to the surface at the end. All in all a fascinating look at the ocean.

[mckensea · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Diving Deep" is less about the deep sea, or getting there than the title might have you believe. However, it is a great introduction to the different ways that people observe what's beneath the waves. Maybe because I had a digital version from NetGalley but several of the illustrations seemed like they weren't complete. However, the illustrations that were available we're spectacular. I would definitely get this book for a kid.

[Sharon Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction book explores the depths of the ocean and the equipment humans need to explore underwater. The illustrations beautifully capture the animals that live in each ocean zone. I really liked that there is a story told in the main body of the text and information about the technology needed to explore that depth in a text box. This book is sure to capture the attention of many kids since it features both animals and technology. I will definitely be purchasing it for my classroom!

[Nichola · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book that will complement any topic on oceans or just reading for the pure joy. Written in beautiful lyrical words about the wonders of exploring the ocean, interspersed with information about the different ways to dive deep and explore the ocean. Starting with snorkelling, through scuba diving to using submersibles to explore Challenger Deep this gives lots of facts about each method too.
"We are wired for wonder, we delight in discovery"

[Jessica S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating short read for all ages about the machines humankind uses to dive into the ocean. I enjoyed the beautiful illustrations, and everything was concise and well-explained. I also enjoyed the continued facts and websites in the author's note! I appreciate it when books provide other sources of learning on a topic. :)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nifty picture book that shows how and why we explore the water. Why -- because humans have insatiable curiosity and a wish for adventure, and how from swimming to snorkeling to scuba to various submarine types. The rich illustrations give a sense of the scenery at each level, and additional text explains how things work and what the risks are. It's a great read.

[John Blacksad · Rating 5 out of 5]

İllüstrasyonları çok güzel hem çocuklara hem büyüklere kitaplardan. Şnorkelle keşiften deepsea challenger’a insanoğlunun su ve derini ile ilişkisine dair güzel bir özet. Büyük puntolarla şiirsel ifadeler, karşı sayfalarında ise teknik ve didaktik bilgilerin harmanlandığı güzel bir kitap olmuş. @tubitakkitaplar olması sebebiyle fiyat performans üst düzey. Öneriyorum.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book that explains to kids all the ways possible to dive in the ocean. This book can inspire and encourage a mindset of discovery for young readers. Definitely recommend. Loooooove the illustrations!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We’re wired for wonder.
We delight is discovery.”

I’m a sucker for a lyrical nonfiction picture book, and does this one ever deliver! I loved learning more about the different technologies used to explore the different depths of the ocean. So well done.