The Deep [Paperback]

Tim Winton (Author), Karen Louise (Author)

Book Description

Alice lives in a house by the sea. Snakes and spiders don't scare her, but she's very afraid of the deep ocean water. Her swimming, splashing, diving family urge her to come out and play with them, but no matter how hard she tries, Alice still can't leave the green shallows for the deep. This moving story about a girl besting her fears is matched with warm, light-splashed illustrations.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Although she knows how to swim, Alice, the youngest in her family, is afraid to move beyond the safety of the shallows. Every morning she watches from the jetty as her parents and brothers laugh and splash in the "smooth dark water" and wishes that she could join them. Her anxiety makes her feel frustrated and angry. Then one day, while playing on the beach, she spots a group of dolphins and wades into the ocean. Mesmerized by their antics, she tries to get closer, and is soon surprised to find herself far away from the shore. Exhilaration and pride follow Alice's brief moment of alarm, as she realizes that swimming in the deep is just like swimming in the shallows. Her fear of the ocean depths is nicely balanced by her attraction to its wonders, and the descriptive text gives readers a clear idea of what she is missing by remaining on land. The colorful paintings are filled with excitement and movement, as dolphins, brightly patterned fish, and Alice's exuberant family members cavort against blue and green backdrops. A good selection for collections needing stories about conquering fear.
Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

"The water looked beautiful. It went all greeny-blue out there. It was deep. So deep you couldn't see the bottom." These thoughts run through Alice's head as she tries to overcome her fear of swimming in the deep ocean water near her home. Frightened and miserable, she watches every day as her parents and two older brothers jump and dive, calling her to join them. Alice does overcome her fear, but the way it happens--she unthinkingly follows some playful dolphins who come into the shallow water back out to the deep--is so unique it doesn't give youngsters with similar fears any way to transfer and adapt Alice's actions to their situation. Louise's realistic illustrations capture the fresh colors of the sea, and the landscapes are strong, but some of the figures appear awkward and disproportionate. Although this title may not find a broad audience, it will strike a chord with kids who relate to Alice's fears. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Fremantle Arts Center Pr (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1863682104
• ISBN-13: 978-1863682107
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,421,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hit with my 6 year old, March 23, 2000

By 

saliero (NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Deep (Hardcover)

This combines Winton's knowledge about kids with his love of the ocean. About a family who love to swim off the pier in the ocean, the young girl is afraid of going too far into the deep water.

It is not one of those stridently didactic books that sacrifices literature for a "good message". It is a terrific book to share with children who are facing particular fears (my son was scared of the water) - and acknowledging that fears are usual but can be overcome.

The illustrations are also lovely, the water that special Australian ocean blue!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you yearn for the ocean!, March 22, 2001

By 

R. Griffiths "bookchoice" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Deep (Hardcover)

Beautiful, inviting pictures and thoroughly re-readable text, this is the story of how Alice overcomes her fear of deep water with the aid of some friendly dolphins.

My two year old loves having this read to her, she points to the pictures of the dreamy underwater world and squeals wth delight, 'She's swimming!!!' Older children will enjoy reading it themselves, and perhaps they will come to see that their own fears can be overcome too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 4 year old son adores this book., May 2, 2006

By 

Kellie (Sulphur, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Deep (Hardcover)

Alice lived by the sea. She was a very brave little girl and wasn't scared of many things. Spiders, the dark, even thunder and lightning didn't bother her. But there was one thing she couldn't handle...the deep. The water looked beautiful, but it is so deep. The bottom cannot be seen and that frightens Alice. Her brothers couldn't convince her it was safe. Watching her parents jump in didn't help either. Spotting several dolphins, she wades into the water and something wonderful happens. These sea animals help Alice gain new confidence. The absolutely amazing paintings that illustrate this book make the tale come to life. A wonderful addition to any youngster's library.