Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

An overview of undersea venturing, from ancient sponge diving to explorations with modern submersibles. Gall pairs a stodgy recitation of names and basic facts with cleanly drawn depictions of early diving suits and other gear down through the ages—beginning with hollow reeds used by ancient Greek divers and ending with an out-of-scale Alvin submarine cruising past the wreck of the Titanic. All are depicted being used or tested by a racially diverse cast of frozen-faced divers, inventors, and bridge construction workers. Along with livelier views of brightly colored sea life both real and fanciful, he also mixes in anatomical diagrams to illustrate the effects of pressure and compression. Throughout, Gall depicts a biracial family—oddly stony of mien, like the other humans—preparing for adventurous vacations, exploring a coral reef, and conducting simple science demonstrations. Both the evolving technology on display and the dramatic deep-sea settings and naturalistic flora and fauna are worth lingering over. But for readers seeking more vivid and detailed pictures of the dangers and discomforts of undersea exploration, Aly Brown’s The Last Unexplored Place on Earth (2023) makes a grand follow-up. A perfunctory list of information sources is appended, along with a warning about the hazards of climate-warming oceans and, less tangentially, general remarks on diver training and careers at the end. Immersive visuals, weighed down by a leaden text. (glossary, fun facts, author’s note) (Informational picture book. 7-10) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

This beautifully illustrated picture book does an excellent job of piquing curiosity about the mysteries of the ocean depths. The narrative takes a problem-solving path, tracing the development of underwater breathing apparatuses from ancient times through the modern day. Accessible explanations of various technologies proceed logically, with each new iteration improving on its predecessors. Diving bells were great, but too much exhaled carbon dioxide could build up, which led to the use of air pumps to send down fresh air. Personal diving bells, or helmets, weren't all that effective, so they tried attaching them to waterproof suits and kept remodeling them time and time again to provide longer underwater access and more mobility. Jacques Cousteau's personal curiosity and drive led to the invention of the Aqua-Lung, which finally gave individuals the freedom to move independently underwater. All this technological information is presented through a lens of respect and awe, adding to the intrigue of deep diving. The alluring art will attract browsers, and the generous back matter provides a wealth of support for researchers. Popular author Gall is a diving enthusiast himself, and his passion comes through on every page. This makes an excellent addition for most STEAM collections.