• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: k to 2
• Reading age: 4 to 7

“Masterful artwork and nuanced verse invite readers to hold their breath and dive deep.” Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW

Sophia bravely dives down to discover the secrets under the sea. She encounters beautiful fish and floating forests. Farther down, the dark water is full of tentacles and treasures. Deep underwater, she is never alone. Do you dare dive down after her?

The ocean is full of endless possibilities in this dreamy, imagistic story from acclaimed author/illustrator Irene Luxbacher. Her otherworldly paintings show colorful fish, rippling seawater and the secrets to be found at the bottom of the ocean. Sophia’s journey will linger with readers long after the return to shore.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6
Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4
Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

IRENE LUXBACHER est à la fois auteure, illustratrice et artiste. Elle a publié de nombreux livres d’activités artistiques et albums jeunesse dont Le jardin imaginaire de grand-papa, d’Andrew Larsen, mis en nomination pour le Prix du Gouverneur général dans la catégorie illustrations. Irene habite à Toronto où elle travaille actuellement à la création de nouveaux tableaux et albums.

IRENE LUXBACHER was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for her illustrations in Andrew Larsen’sThe Imaginary Garden (Le jardin imaginaire de grand-papa). She has illustrated several other picture books, including Mittens to Share (Une mitaine pour deux), The Heart’s Song (Le grand cœur de madame Lili), as well as her own picture books Once I Was a Bear (Lorsque j’étais un ours…) and Mattoo, Let’s Play! (Viens jouer, Matou!). She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her husband and young son. You can learn more about her work at www.ireneluxbacher.com.

Irene Luxbacher's profile page

Readers ride waves of wonder … Masterful artwork and nuanced verse invite readers to hold their breath and dive deep.

Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW

[Luxbacher's] narration is both succinct and full of rich language, so listeners will have interesting words to ponder while poring over wondrous images… . Mixed media art and collage, digitally composed, produce intense colors and a riot of textures that depict the teeming underwater flora and fauna.

School Library Journal

… subtle nods to creative inspirations and the enchanting visuals make for an immersive read celebrating the joys of imagination.

Booklist

In calm and soothing passages, this water nymph takes readers on an immersive adventure… . There is a lovely tranquility and depth to this ocean story that lies intriguingly below the shimmering surface.

Quill & Quire

… the adventure creates a sense of quiet wonder and contentment.

Publishers Weekly