Clark in the Deep Sea

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 4, 2016

Review

Alley has authored a set of seasonal pictures books featuring one of four siblings and imaginative play. This sweet story focuses on Clark during the spring. It's raining and the siblings are entertaining themselves on the front porch. When Gretchen, the youngest, wants to play circus and her teddy bear accidentally flies off the porch, the siblings revert to imaginary play and the front yard becomes a turbulent ocean. Clark leaps into deep-sea gear, the dog becomes a furry shark fish and other items in the yard become sea dwelling obstacles to teddy bear's safe rescue. As the sea patrol of older siblings arrive in a submarine, they bravely pull everyone, including four colored fish that were part of Gretchen's toys, to safety. The cheerful and colorful illustrations are done in watercolor, acrylic, gouache, ink and pencil. The smaller book size is perfect for younger readers.

Overall Book Score: good