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Reviews
Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock
roseleaf24's review
5.0
This is a stunning book that tells clearly the story of the first people to see the deep, deep ocean. Though it is historical, children will really be able to feel how incredible the intention of the bathysphere was, and how uncomfortable it would have been! The illustrations alone made me feel claustrophobic; I'm not sure how they did it! The animals they discovered are amazing.
roseannmvp's review
5.0
Absolute magic. What a great book celebrating a little known accomplishment of deep, deep magnitude and bravery. A Gem!
librariandest's review
4.0
Wow! Beautiful artwork and a fascinating story. I loved the back matter -- especially the illustrator's note.
I thought there were a few weirdly-written sentences. For example, "He tried breathing through a garden hose in his mouth -- sputtered to the surface." And "He put a washtub over his head to trap air inside -- kept popping up." Obviously, I'm a fan of the em dash -- I use it all the time. But in this case I think it muddied the meaning of the latter clauses. And it seems to me like these sentences would be awkward to read aloud.
The text leaves a few things unexplained, which is either intriguing or annoying depending on the reader. "Mysterious lights twinkled in the distance." What were the lights?! When the bathysphere begins to leak, what stops it?! Did it leak the whole time? Why did Otis and Will's eyes "play tricks on them" down in the deep?
A neat book that would be perfect to read before a trip to the aquarium.
I thought there were a few weirdly-written sentences. For example, "He tried breathing through a garden hose in his mouth -- sputtered to the surface." And "He put a washtub over his head to trap air inside -- kept popping up." Obviously, I'm a fan of the em dash -- I use it all the time. But in this case I think it muddied the meaning of the latter clauses. And it seems to me like these sentences would be awkward to read aloud.
The text leaves a few things unexplained, which is either intriguing or annoying depending on the reader. "Mysterious lights twinkled in the distance." What were the lights?! When the bathysphere begins to leak, what stops it?! Did it leak the whole time? Why did Otis and Will's eyes "play tricks on them" down in the deep?
A neat book that would be perfect to read before a trip to the aquarium.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
A pretty good children's picture book biography of lesser known figures. Great art, good enough writing. This really captured the idea of adventure and exploration and invention. And the historical after note was one of the better ones. And a terrific artist's note about the artist's process. All an all about as good as a book of this sort can be expected to be. So why not a 5-star? Maybe on a different day. I really didn't connect with what who they were or what they did. And the book was great anyway.
kayelletea's review
4.0
Read for our mock Caldecott
Appreciated the quote from Constance Carter, “He’d [Beebe] toss letters from well-known scientists aside so he could answer letters from children, saying that scientists could wait; the opportunity to inspire a child was more important.”
Appreciated the quote from Constance Carter, “He’d [Beebe] toss letters from well-known scientists aside so he could answer letters from children, saying that scientists could wait; the opportunity to inspire a child was more important.”
flaviathebibliophile's review
4.0
I absolutely adore children’s books about lakes and oceans! The different shades of blue, as well as the information about various underwater life, just really soothes me. Before requesting this book, I watched a YouTube video about this bathysphere with my boyfriend, and I remember being really terrified for the two men (I know them now as Otis and Will, since reading the book) sinking into the depths of the sea in a contraption that had not been tested with humans inside before. I was very curious to see how a children’s book would handle discussing such a dangerous mission.
And I was glad to find that I was definitely less anxious for Otis and Will in this particular telling of the story (which for me means that most children also shouldn’t become distraught while reading this book!) Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere contained a lot of information that was also new and interested to me as an adult reader, so, I can only imagine how much more interesting the contents would be for a younger reader. I also really liked how the story of Otis and Will was told, and the good balance between visuals and text in this book.
And I was glad to find that I was definitely less anxious for Otis and Will in this particular telling of the story (which for me means that most children also shouldn’t become distraught while reading this book!) Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere contained a lot of information that was also new and interested to me as an adult reader, so, I can only imagine how much more interesting the contents would be for a younger reader. I also really liked how the story of Otis and Will was told, and the good balance between visuals and text in this book.
stenaros's review
4.0
Read for librarian book group
A short illustrated nonfiction story of two scientists/adventurers who take a very small vessel very far into the deep depths of the ocean. The illustrations capture both the curious spirit of Otis and Will, the claustrophobic confines of their deep sea vessel and the wonder of what they found in the deep water. The words capture the excitement and trepidation.
The one thing missing from this book was a clearer setting in time. I couldn't tell from the illustrations or the text what year the deep sea dive was. The excellent back matter divulged that information, but it was distracting while reading the book.
A short illustrated nonfiction story of two scientists/adventurers who take a very small vessel very far into the deep depths of the ocean. The illustrations capture both the curious spirit of Otis and Will, the claustrophobic confines of their deep sea vessel and the wonder of what they found in the deep water. The words capture the excitement and trepidation.
The one thing missing from this book was a clearer setting in time. I couldn't tell from the illustrations or the text what year the deep sea dive was. The excellent back matter divulged that information, but it was distracting while reading the book.