Deep Underwater

by Irene Luxbacher

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Adventure, Storytime, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2018

About the author

After graduating with a degree in Art History from Queen’s University, Irene studied Fine Art (specifically drawing and painting) at Emily Carr College of Art and Design.

Irene has a background in art education and has lead visual arts workshops for more than 17 years in Public schools in Toronto and at The Avenue Road Arts School. Both the Jumbo Books and the Starting Art Series have received much critical acclaim and reviews from librarians, teachers and parents.

Irene was a finalist in 2009 for a Governor General’s Award for her illustrations found in The Imaginary Garden.

Irene lives in Toronto, Canada where she is currently working on new paintings, illustrations and picture books.

Reviews

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My name is Sophia. I live by the sea. I know all its secrets. I know where dragons live and where floating forests grow..."

From the author and illustrator behind the critically praised Mr. Frank comes Deep Underwater, a story about a young girl named Sophia and her extraordinary journey into the deep sea. Sophia invites the reader to "dive down" with her, believing in the reader and their bravery to explore sea wonders with her. As Sophia dives with a "deep breath", we go "past the day" to the world of incredible, inky sea life and discoveries. The underwater world melts further as Sophia continues down into an abyss, where "hot gassy bubbles burp ancient secrets from deep inside the center of the Earth" and "lost treasures wait silently" to be found. Sophia's underwater journey of unearthing new treasures continues, but the story and tone shifts slightly when, while looking at jewels and gems, she meets a friend she seems to know very well. As the story carries itself to the end, we see Sophia carried home and to a finale that is not only satisfying in its sweetness but also open to questions and possibility. Altogether poetic and serene with marvelous art that begs for multiple studies, Deep Underwater is simply gorgeous to pore over- utterly lush and full- and having the character of Sophia narrate gives the story a dreamlike, conversation-between-bosom-buddies feel. The story itself as well as the ending can be appreciated and/or interpreted in various ways, giving the reader and/or listener even more opportunities for their curiosity and imagination to run. Readers who have enjoyed fantastical stories such as This Is Sadie, The Tea Party in the Woods, Beyond the Pond, Pool, The Whisper or Yellow Kayak might especially adore Deep Underwater.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Groundwood Books/House of Anansi in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing stellar in this picture book that features a female main character swimming in her dress down deep underwater to appreciate the beauty and intensity of the deep ocean.

Collage art is fine, but the story didn’t seem to have a point for readers to take away. I wasn’t moved by the words because they didn’t flow well either in taking the reader along for the journey and sending a message.

[Kati Polodna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make sure to spend time lingering over the whimsical illustrations.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Deep Underwater by Irene Luxbacher, a dreamy and surreal adventure to the ocean floor.

A young girl named Sophia invites the reader along as she dives down deep into the sea. She knows all the ocean’s secrets, and she’s glad to share them. Down into the dark, where bubbles swirl and creatures swim and sunken ships hide their treasure. There’s all that and more: mysterious shapes and colors, beings and possibilities. It seems almost to be the stuff of dreams, and perhaps it is…

Unique and lovely. The first thing that strikes me is the unusual color scheme – while many undersea books opt for bright blues and whitish sand, this one paints its setting in the deep blue-greens and shadows of the actual ocean, a far more natural and realistic choice. This works perfectly for the elements of fantasy to come, providing a more familiar background to te mixed-media imaginings of first real marine life, then more odd and otherworldly lifeforms and scenes as the story progresses. The final page gives a lovely bit of context for the preceding adventures in a heartwarming illustration. The length is great, and JJ loved it. A weird and beautiful adventure that celebrates curiousity, courage, and imagination. Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book and fell in love with the deep dreamy colours. Dark... I associated it with being symbolic of depression and emerging from tragedy to find oneself, "a friend" in oneself. Complete disclosure, I know the author-illustrator of this book. Irene Luxbacher illustrated my two picture books Malaika's Costume and Malaika's Winter Carnival and now she is working on my third (all with the same publisher, Groundwood Books). I am excited to hear the voice of Sophia as she moves through the mysteries of the sea. The illustrations are in mixed media, Irene's specialty. I love the dark, heavy brushstrokes which dominate the book and make the colourful fish and sea life standout. I relate to this book on a lot of levels. I am currently writing a book about mermaids. I am learning to swim and taking adult level three for the third time so a lot of that work is in the deep end of the pool. I have also experienced depression that can also make one feel like being underwater, gasping for air, grasping for what is familiar. Great book Irene!

[Elizabeth]

An interesting semi-surrealist journey deep into the ocean, with some illustrations partially collage style and some two-page spreads entirely wordless.

Not entirely sure what's up with the ending.

Favorite line: "Stars can only shine when the light fades."

[Alida · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone that has always been fascinated by the deep ocean, this book is just lovely. The collage technique and the wordplay are well matched.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminded me of This is Blue - gorgeous gorgeous illustrations, but an amorphous daydream of text.

I struggle with plotless meanderings like this, that look like a story, but really rely on the reader to provide the finer details. Usually I'm just not ready to fire up my rusty old imagination. Regardless of the text, I really appreciate the depth and detail of the illustrations.

[Jason Muckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deep Underwater" was a beautiful and poetic children's book with vibrant colors to spark a child's imagination.

The illustrations are made from mixed media collages and make the reader believe they are underwater in the middle of a dream. This was a lovely read!

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the mixed media collages in this book are breathtaking. (That’s kind of a pun) A young girl goes on a fantastical journey into the deepest, darkest regions of the ocean. It takes us into where dragons live and “hot gassy bubbles burp secrets from deep inside the center of the earth..”

[Briony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message got a bit lost towards the end of the book.

[白い世界 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this book 2.5 stars. The illustrations are nice, but the story is way too deep for picture-book aged children.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird and pretty. A little confusing. For ages 4-6 who love artsy stuff.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars 🌟! Loved the illustrations in this book they are absolutely beautiful. The context could have been a little better though. It didn’t really make much sense.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young girl goes ona wonderous adventure under the sea where she meets friends and relatives who show her love. Whimsical. Preschool and up

[Dana Storytime Account · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the artwork of this book.

[DeA · Rating 2 out of 5]

A beautiful book but the text is a bit hard to follow for many young readers.

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

gorgeous illustrations but zero point to the "story"

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dreamy adventure under the sea - beautifully illustrated

[Kelly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

the mixed media collages really are the heart of this book. i love them so much that text is something i could do without.

[Randi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fairly simple and forgettable, but it had pretty artwork.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. For anyone who views the ocean as a magical place this book is a winner

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations that I could pour over again and again.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastical adventure with stunningly dreamy illustrations.

[Haylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore the mixed media illustrations and the text reminds me of a relaxation exercise.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty, but won't stick in my memory.

[Y.Poston]

a gorgeous exploration of under the water
saturated colors dive you into the deep!!!

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations aline are worth it!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!