Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea [Hardcover]

Jan Peck (Author), Valeria Petrone (Illustrator)

Book Description

Way down deep

in the deep blue sea,

there's a lot to find.

I guarantee!

Come on! Be brave!

Just follow me!

And let's explore

the deep blue sea!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–In a singsong text, a little boy describes his adventure into the deep blue sea. He plays peekaboo with a hermit crab and fences with a swordfish until he eventually discovers a pirate's treasure chest, but he leaves most of it behind when he meets what's on the next page–a shark. Still, he manages to bring a coin back up to his mother, who is waiting for him at the surface. The last page shows all of the animals left behind looking a little less intimidating as they float in the bathtub. Although the concept is fun and the bubbly illustrations are colorful, the book falters due to the text's occasionally bumpy rhythm. "Way down deep in the deep blue sea,/I spy a sea horse racing by me./Hello, sea horse./Giddy-up, sea horse./See you later, sea horse./Swim away." While this offering provides big illustrations, plenty of repetition, and good opportunities for interaction with children during storytime, it may not garner as much enthusiasm from kids as other similar titles, such as Linda Ashman's Rub-a-Dub Sub (Harcourt, 2003).–Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA
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About the Author

Jan Peck has written stories and articles in Highlights for Children, Boys' Life, Humpty Dumpty, and Turtle magazines. In adition, she is the author of The Giant Carrot, illustrated by Barry Root, and her story "The Perfect Dog" is in the best-selling book Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul. Her previous picture book with Simon & Schuster is Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. She resides in Texas.

Valeria Petrone has illustrated several books for children, including Ducks in Muck by Lori Haskins, Say Cheese! by Nancy Smiler Levinson, and Uh-Oh! by Marion Dane Bauer. She is the illustrator for Plumply, Dumply Pumpkin by Mary Serfozo and, most recently, illustrated Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. She currently lives in Italy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers; 1st edition (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689851103
• ISBN-13: 978-0689851100
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Water Sports
  • #68 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Fish

More About the Author

Jan Peck is an organic gardener and a former cook for Auntie Em's, a vegetarian, health-food restaurant in Cowtown, so she knows plenty about giant carrots.
Her published books include:
* Way out West on My Little Pony (Pelican Publishing Company 2010).
* Pirate Treasure Hunt! (Pelican Publishing Company 2008).
* Way Far Away on a Wild Safari
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers).
* Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers).
* Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers).
* The Giant Carrot (Dial Books for Young Readers).
* The Ballerina Princess, The First Christmas, and The Time Travelers (About You! Books).
* "The Perfect Dog" in the best-selling anthology:
Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul.
* Also stories and articles in Highlights for Children, Boys' Life, Humpty Dumpty, and Turtle magazines.
* Short stories in the anthologies Distant Lights and The Neighborhood Nine, published by Boyds Mills Press.

Jan is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the past Regional Advisor for the North Central/ Northeast Texas Chapter, and a past freelance editor for Boys' Life magazine. Jan has won awards for her writing, judged by Bruce Degan (of the Magic School Bus series), George Stanley (of the Scaredy-Cat series), and Betsy Haynes (of the Fabulous Five series and Bone Chillers series and TV show).

She is in big demand for her dynamic presentations, featuring her books and getting the kids excited about reading (presented with author, David R. Davis). They give one of the most interactive, encouraging, inspiring school programs ever seen or heard!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ocean of a tale!, July 26, 2009

By 

Lori Calabrese "Children's Books Examiner... (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea (Hardcover)

In Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea, a little boy turns a simple bath into a deep sea adventure!

Way down deep
in the deep blue sea,
there's a lot to find.
I guarantee!

Come on! Be brave!
Just follow me!
And let's explore
the deep blue sea!

While searching for treasure for his mom, he plays peekaboo with a hermit crab, fences with a swordfish, and finally discovers a pirate's treasure chest. But look out! When a shark nears, he heads for the surface--his own bathtub where his mom awaits, and the animals float along quietly in the tub.

This lively story is written in rhyme and the bright illustrations will delight any sea lover. But what I love most about this book is that it teaches children the importance of using your imagination.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way Down Deep is Oceans of fun and learning for children!, May 1, 2004

By 

D. R. Davis "D.R.D." (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea (Hardcover)

I am a children's writer who wishes he had written this book! Jan Peck has surely been touched by the hand of God. "The Giant Carrot" was a classic Ms. Peck created, but "Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea" will be read by generations of children too. The tight musical writing and beautiful illustrations will please every child--plus teach them rhythm and the names of sea creatures. On top of all this, the book shows the child the wonders of using his imagination. Buy your copy now, because the first edtion will become a collector's item. "Cat in the Hat" move over!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great read-aloud book, July 20, 2009

By 

ankashai (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea (Hardcover)

I work as a pre-k teacher for children ages 2-3, and they absolutely love this book. It's short-and-sweet, has a fun premise ( a kid meets different animals as he swims in the ocean looking for treasure -- towards the end, he runs into a shark and quickly swims to the surface, where we discover that he was just playing pretend in his bathtub ), and most importantly for this age group has an easy-to-join-in refrain. Almost every page is the same -- " Way down deep in the deep blue sea, I spy a <animal> <verbing> by me. Hello <animal>! < saying > <Animal>! See ya later <animal>! Swim away! "

We tend to read it in a bit of a sing-song voice, and ask the kids to tell us the names of the animals. A lot of the kids join in saying 'hello' and 'swim away' ( complete with waving and swimming motions ), and we've used the ending to talk to kids about what they play with in their bathtub.

Older children ( I've read it up to kindergarten ) don't get quite as excited about it, but they enjoy the fact that they can join in as well. As a teaching activity, you could make felt/paper versions of all the animals and ask the students to find the animal as you read about it, and put it on a felt board.