SUNKEN SHIP

A treasure ship yields its riches—a teeming underwater world.

The ship sailed across the Caribbean in 1733 before sinking in a storm. Fortunately, the crew escaped. In the aftermath, the sunken galleon’s remains burgeoned with astonishing varieties of sea life and vegetation, all identified here. New generations blossomed over time. Who could have imagined that every part of a downed ship could nourish, sustain, and shelter new life? The ship’s remains enriched the seafloor, too, as it “decomposed in the shifting sands,” eventually erupting in “a rainbow of reef life.” Over time, the ship became an artificial reef, a “coral-reef treasure trove.” While the ship may have met a tragic end, the ultimate outcome is “a safe harbor for all.” In the author’s note, Hevron states that she was inspired by the sinking of the San Pedro and explains that sunken ships actually benefit the planet. With brief yet lyrical text and breezily humorous but informative dialogue, this treasure of a book will help young readers comprehend fascinating facts and salient concepts. Hevron indicates the passing of time, periodically noting the year up to the “present day.” The gorgeous illustrations, created with acrylic, marker, and pencil, then digitally collaged, bring the undersea environment and its denizens to vivid, breathtaking life. A simple diagram of the ship’s components graces the title page.

A captivating exploration of a wonder-filled domain most of us can only imagine.