School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-In this follow-up to Earth Space Moon Base (Random, 2014), Monkey, Robot, and Deep-Sea Diver plumb the depths of the ocean floor to find some missing starfish. With no light to guide them, they search the vast and dark waters, their only clue an oozing green trail to follow deeper into the depths. While on their hunt, the trio discover unusual sights like a deep sea circus and overcome obstacles like a giant squid attack: a perfect mix of both ridiculousness and adventure. A limited purple and blue color palette provide a murky feel, while the heavy shading gives the bizarre creatures an intense look against vibrant backdrops. After the heroes solve the mystery and release the imprisoned starfish, the darkness disappears and the ocean comes to life in extraordinary color, as the three move on to their next adventure. Price's vivid word choice, comparing a smack of jellyfish to a "labyrinth of dessert," for example, will give storytellers a lot to work with as the team plunges further and further into the unknown. VERDICT Dive head first into this one.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Price follows Earth Space Moon Base with another improbable escapade as the Guppy-a deep-sea capsule piloted (as before) by a human, a monkey, and a robot-embarks on a mission to find out why the sea has gone dark. Throughout, realistic detail alternates cheerfully with bonkers science (the sea has gone dark, they discover, because a giant eel has sucked up all the starfish), all cast in sturdy verse. In a series of undersea scenes, dark swirls of ocean currents are shot through with bursts of teal, lime, and magenta. The story's faux suspense is leavened with gentle humor, such as when the ship passes an undersea circus troupe featuring clownfish, a mussel weightlifter, and a seahorse carousel. Cinematic views mean that readers can see the threats that menace the ship before its occupants do. There's a wealth of action and a boatload of imaginative energy as Price lets ever-loopier ideas rise to the surface: "Releasing gas from their scuba tanks,/ they create an almighty... burp!" A sequel that improves on its predecessor in every respect. Ages 3-7. Agent: Isabel Atherton, Creative Authors. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
