If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean

by Brooke Mcintyre, Gordy Wright (Illustrator)

An awe-inspiring, deep-sea‑themed picture book that explores the mysterious marine life that dwells within and below the waves, all the way to the very bottom of the ocean!Dive into this compelling, content‑rich nonfiction picture book and find yourself on an underwater a marine mission that takes you past reefs, beyond the near‑shore sea floor, down, down, down through the sunlight layer, the twilight layer, the midnight zone―all the way (as in seven miles!) down to the bottom of the ocean!Keep your eyes peeled―if you're lucky, you might see a 400-year-old shark, a dumbo octopus, or . . . a xenophyophore! Layer by layer, you will get to know all of the mysterious sea life that dwells in the deepest depths while finding out just how interconnected―and crucial―the ocean’s ecosystems really are.EDUCATIONAL & Despite covering 70% of our Earth, a mere 20% of our oceans have been explored. What could be more thrilling than an adventure to the bottom of the sea? This book's immersive writing and awe-inspiring illustrations bring mysterious marine creatures to light for young readers, creating an adventurous and learning-rich atmosphere.

GO-TO GIFT FOR OCEAN This beautifully illustrated sea-themed book is for kids aged 5 to 8 and beyond who are fascinated by science, facts, and the mysteries of the ocean, sharks, fish, mollusks, sea turtles, penguins, seals, squid, jellyfish, and so much more. It makes a gorgeous gift for a birthday or any special occasion.

ENVIRONMENTAL Due to pressing crises like ocean acidification and overfishing, it is vital to promote environmental and ecological awareness in young people. In these pages, children will see―and experience―the interconnectedness of the ocean’s layers, and learn how important it is to their survival for sea creatures to maintain connections and balanced relationships in their ecosystems.Perfect who love and are interested in the oceanParents and grandparents of children who want to learn more about the oceanTeachers, educators, and librarians seeking beautiful nonfiction books with STEM contentAnyone seeking a distinctive gift for an animal- or nature-loving childReaders seeking a picture book that promotes environmental awareness

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Nature, Juvenile

50 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Laurie]

The Depths of the Ocean – Let’s Go!

If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean, what would it be like? Brooke McIntyre’s informational picture book takes us deeper and deeper until we touch the ocean floor, and then she finds a trench and takes us even deeper. Like any good journey, there is much to look at along the way. I like the moment in the story when the beams of light on our craft reveal a carcass of a whale. Rather than it being a sad moment, we learn that its bones act in the same way as a nurse log acts in the forest. Those old bones will feed the tiny marine creatures, and the next generation of whales. Gordy Wright’s illustrations do a terrific job creating that sense of discovery. As we travel deeper and deeper into the dark and the cold, I like the feeling of total immersion in this watery world. McIntyre’s comparisons to space help me appreciate the vastness of the ocean. We never quite forget as a reader that we are visitors and that the water pressure is enormous and inhospitable to humans, which makes it even more wonderous to meet the creatures who can dive between the surface and deep waters, such as the leatherback turtle. It’s a beautifully written book, easy to read aloud with its soft end rhymes and fluid rhythm. I’ve never been in a submersible, but Brooke McIntyre has written a picture book that makes me feel like I’ve been to the very depths of the ocean.

[Heather Kinser]

From its first words—“If you went to the bottom of the ocean…”—and a subsequent plunge under the surface with a diving bird, young readers will be captivated by this undersea journey. They’ll want to go deeper, with every turn of the page. In this lyrical story, every line is a pleasure to read, and the evocative wordplay succeeds in creating a pull toward adventure. The language is as gorgeous as each new undulating squid or bioluminescent jellyfish. Readers descend to the ocean floor, level by level, sometimes in parallel with a little yellow submersible; sometimes within it and peering through its porthole; sometimes joining a raft of penguins or school of sardines. Mystery, danger, and wonder are revealed with each new stage of descent. When readers finally reach the deepest point of the ocean floor (and the end of the story), they can continue on—to explore the fact-filled backmatter. This enticing and highly re-readable book is as thrilling and informative as a trip to a world-class aquarium! Get it for your nature lover, your shark-obsessed kiddo, your ocean enthusiast, or any child who loves a good mystery! The appeal is broad, and the book is beautiful in every way.

[Aimee Yealim]

A must-read for children and adults alike, this beautifully written book is both magical and deeply informational. The lyrical, poetic text immediately pulled me into the mysterious world deep down in the ocean, and I was mesmerized by how much it sometimes resembled outer space. My favorite line was: “For a moment, you might wonder, Am I in the sea or a star field?” That sense of wonder captures the heart of the book perfectly.

The story is wonderfully child-centered while still offering so many layers of meaning for older readers. The gorgeous illustrations and beautifully crafted text invite young minds to look closer, ask questions, and imagine what lies beneath the surface. My first-grade child loved it, and honestly, I loved it just as much.

This is the kind of book that evokes curiosity and encourages children to explore more about the ocean. With its magical atmosphere, beautiful language, and fascinating information, it is a highly recommended read for any curious child—and for the adults lucky enough to read it with them.

[Patricia J.]

A perfect adventure for curious, wonder-filled readers!

Maybe you’re familiar with shorelines and tidepools.
Maybe you’ve even snorkeled or scuba’d.
Maybe you’ve seen a dolphin spin or a whale breach.
But hop aboard an ocean submersible and head down, down, down into an ocean full of life!

The deeper you dive, the darker and colder and stranger the ocean becomes…zooplankton like snow; a star-field of microscopic life, the small and the strange.

IF YOU WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN is a journey in wonder, filled with information to go back to over and over. The lyrical language invites both pauses and page turns. Track your progress ever-deeper through each zone with a handy, attractive bar at the top of the page. And delight when the depth is revealed in a full turn of the book to mimic sinking ever-deeper to the bottom!

This book is a joy for anyone who loves the ocean and who dreams of traveling through it!

[Rose]

If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean by Brooke McIntyre and Gordy Wright is a lyrical, compelling invitation to explore the ocean depths. From the opening page the reader is taken on a journey out to the middle of the ocean and dropped like a diving seabird through the surface. Readers will delight in what they observe by imagining themselves as elephant seals and emperor penguins and then peering out from inside a submersible as they go deeper and deeper. The use of similes helps young readers determine size and depth as they delight in the journey. Illustrations complement the text and will make children and adults want to pause on each page to take it all in. Throughout the book text layout and features as well as page orientation keep us oriented to the zone we are exploring, its depth, and amount of light there is. Extensive backmatter adds additional valuable information. This is an incredible book that would be welcome in home or school libraries. Highly recommended!

[Marianne Blackstone Tabner]

Gorgeous illustrations by Wright paired with beautiful lyrical words by McIntyre, take the reader on an immersive adventure deep down into the many layers of the open ocean. "If you had a microscope to see the phytoplankton, that turn sunlight into food and half the oxygen we breathe, hundreds of thousands in one tiny spoon." "Turn your lights off, you might see fireworks," in the midnight zone. Captivating and mesmerizing within each single layer, twilight to the Hadal zone. Bonus: the pages turn vertical as the reader dives deeper and deeper, adding to this fascinating experience. Young budding ocean explorers won't be able to put this book down! The backmatter is filled with amazing detailed information. I learned so much I did not know about our beloved ocean. Perfect for STEAM activities, school and library and a wonderful story to just snuggle down at home.

[Megan Clendenan]

This is a fascinating dive down to the bottom of the sea! With lovely lyrical language, the author takes the reader on an adventure through all the layers of the ocean. As the reader, we get to go along for an immersive experience, imagining ourselves as a creature in the sea who gets to see all the depths. Kids, especially ocean lovers, will want to return to this book time and again, and as an adult, I found myself mesmerized by the journey, while also learning a great deal at the same time. This book would make both a lovely read-aloud for a class or at home, and kids can also enjoy it on their own. The illustrations are stunning. Detailed back matter allows even more depth into the topic. Highly recommend.

[Deborah Prum]

Are your children interested in marine biology? If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean is the perfect book for them. Written by Brooke McIntyre and illustrated by Gordy Wright, this book a is a lyrical and informative look a marine life. McIntyre, who is a poet, provides information on each page in a way that is light and playful. Wright’s gorgeous illustrations complement the prose content and playful prose on each page.
The material is organized by what you would find at each depth of the ocean. The reader is taken on a journey, which is a marvelous way to convey the information.
The author’s note at the end is an added bonus for any child or adult who wants more in depth information on marine biology. I liked this book so much that I’ve bought copies for friends and family.

[Priscilla Gilman]

For animal-loving kids, this book is a bonanza, written with the ardor and fascination to fuel their own. Familiar stars like whales and penguins swim the pages along with so many more less familiar—more than you would think one short book could hold. And, with an intriguing snippet of information on each! But there's also the joy of water for swimmers, the physics of the deep for kids who want to understand the world, and the underwater landscape for young geographers. All woven together through the mesmerizing text and revelatory illustrations. I love it now; I would've been crazy for it as a kid!

[Emily M.]

This picture book is stunning. McIntyre's gorgeous prose is the perfect match for Gordy's wonderful atmospheric art, truly taking you on a journey into the unknown depths of the ocean--even the way the book is laid out makes you feel like you are on a submarine, diving down, down, down .... Great for kids who are excited about the little explored deepest ocean, but also a wonderful read for adults as every lyrical, poetic line tells a fascinating story of the deepest unknown, every page sparking further curiosity and delight. A wonderful collaboration between this debut author and illustrator, Gordy wright.

[Karyn]

I cannot count the many ways I was enraptured by this book. The mysteries, the grandeur, the wildly unfathomable gorgeous creatures of the deep – utterly captivating. Author Brooke McIntyre and artist Gordy Wright fully immerse the reader on an adventure they won’t want to end. (No doubt, there will be many repeat readings and long ponderings over individual pages of wonder!) Kids will be too awestruck to realize how much they’re learning. I especially love the otherworldly-ness of the journey – what a fantastical, amazing planet we share.

[Katherine Pew]

IF YOU WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN takes readers on a journey through a mysterious and majestic underworld deep beneath the sea. Brooke McIntyre's gorgeously lyrical writing transports us to a magical place with "sardines schooling, tuna rushing, sea turtles gliding, and dolphins chattering." Gordy Wright's stunning illustrations pulled me deep into the story, showing us a glimpse of "a giant squid jetting by" and guiding me down past the Twilight Zone and into the Midnight Zone. The back matter is equally vibrant and fascinating! Highly recommended!

[Kim Ryall]

An immersive journey to the bottom of the sea! I loved how the playful, poetic language and gorgeous illustrations took me into the ocean and down, down, down through the layers, visiting all kinds of ocean creatures on the way. And not just the creatures I expected, but unusual ones like zombie worms! By the end, I had learned all sorts of new things about the ocean and its creatures. Fun to read aloud. A great addition to a library, a classroom shelf, or a home bookshelf. An informative delight for kids and adults alike!

[Marci]

This book is stunning all around. The illustrations are gorgeous. The text is informative and engaging. The content is captivating. Kids will love the real life comparisons--going football fields deep into the ocean--and teachers will love the curriculum tie-ins and expansive backmatter. Parents will want to read this with their kids over and over to catch something new each time. This book is must have for home libraries, school libraries, and classrooms.

[Marcie Flinchum]

This lyrical science book invites readers into the story as you plunge down into the ocean’s layers. The reader will meet many different aquatic animals and learn about each zone. The text is pure poetry, and the illustrations bring the reader along for the ride. Exceptional back matter is included. Highly recommended for school libraries, classrooms that learn about oceans, or for any child with a keen interest in the ocean.

[Martha Meyer]

Wow! This book is a thriller! What would you see all along the way if you were able to go down to the bottom of the deepest trenches of the ocean? This book decisively answers that question! And don't miss the terrific fold out page in the back matter that shows the zones on one long page! There's also a history of human exploration of the ocean is included in the back matter too. Gordy Wright's art is gorgeous! Beautiful and inspiring; don't miss this gem!

[Kathy Kelly]

An Unforgettable Deep Dive into the Wonders of the Ocean!

This is a stunningly immersive journey from the surface of the ocean all the way down to the very bottom--seven miles deep! Few people have traveled the vast depths of the ocean, but with this book lush in both words and sea life illustrations, you will be transported there. Author Brooke McIntyre and illustrator Gordy Wright make the perfect guides for this amazing journey.

[Holly Wagner]

Fascinating! Beautifully illustrated. The entire book is written in kid-friendly language—including the end notes. Kids will enjoy the book turning aspect. This would be a great book for home use too. Kids could spend hours pouring over all the details. Elementary school libraries will find it a worthy purchase. I’m not thinking this would be a book to do research from, it’s more of a book to generate interest and create curious readers.

[MD Knabb]

WOW. When you open this book, you're invited to dive down to the bottom of the ocean. With unique traits, each zone of the ocean is filled with amazing and startling marine creatures, hunters and the hunted. Packed with science information, the illustrations are dazzling, magical and then the gatefolds make you feel the depth as you descend. IF YOU WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN is an adventure into another world that's not to be missed and you'll want to take another trip again and again.

[Bridgitte Rodguez]

What a beautiful book! Loved going on a journey to the bottom of the ocean. So many interesting facts about the ocean and the different zones. The illustrations helped bring the journey to life, and really felt like I was right there with them. If you want to learn more about the different zones of the ocean, in a fun and informative way, take a look!

[Kimberly Biddle]

This book brings facts about the ocean to life. Although it is non-fiction, it reads much like lyrical and magical realism in fiction. It is much like poetry and the placement of the words, lines, and sentences add to the storytelling and make it even more delightful. The art is exquisite, too. Reading this book is like taking a warm shower. Bravo.

[Lisa Tolin]

A lovely, lyrical exploration of the wonders and awe that await beneath the ocean's surface! Gordy Wright's illustrations of the layers of the ocean capture the wonder in Brooke McIntyre's words. Detailed back matter makes this an essential for classrooms and nature lovers.

[Kamilla Milligan]

What a stunning book! This story was a wonderful, immersive experience. The story and illustrations really make you feel like you're in the ocean and show the incredible, remote world under the ocean. The illustrations really pulled me in.

[Ryann Jones]

What a beautiful and educational book. I love how it takes you, as the reader, on an adventure layer by layer, deeper and deeper down to the bottom of the ocean. And the back matter is terrific as well!

[Doreen Klein Robinson]

Breath-taking! A fascinating picture book that makes you feel like you're right there, in the vessel, touring the vast ocean and all the magnificent things you'll see. Gorgeous illustrations and gate-folds galore! A must have picture book for libraries, classrooms and personal collections.

[Marcia]

This is a gorgeous book with a wonderful combination of lyrical words and beautiful illustrations. I learned a lot and felt like I was truly journeying deep down into the sea. Great back matter, too, including a poster! Nice choice for schools and libraries, as well as home collections.

[Deana Lederman]

Beautiful and thoughtful book that's engaging for little readers and complex enough for upper elementary and beyond. My seven-year-old was excited to learn about the different depths of the ocean and who lives there. Highly recommend.

[Rachel]

Lovely artwork, a fascinating topic, and strong writing make this an easy book to recommend. I especially appreciated how it balances storytelling with information, creating a narrative that’s engaging enough for storytime while still teaching readers something new.

The back matter is particularly well done and adds even more value, giving curious readers plenty to explore after the story ends. With endless classroom connections, this is a picture book I can easily see teachers and librarians reaching for again and again.

[Mary]

This is such a lovely book that I wish I would have had as a child. It's beautifully written and thoroughly informative. I highly recommend it for any household, classroom and library. Simply gorgeous!

[J.]

I bought this for my granddaughter, and she loves for me to read it to her. She especially likes pointing out the different sea creatures. The pink octopus is her favorite! This book is the perfect blend of educational and entertaining. I highly recommend it!