Clark in the Deep Sea

by R. W. Alley

Overview

Clark and his brother and sisters are stuck on their front porch on a rainy spring day. When a stuffed bear is flung off the porch into a puddle, the backyard becomes an ocean, and Clark, with some help from his siblings, embarks on a deep-sea diving rescue mission.
      Full of classic charm, this satisfying fantasy is one of four small books each starring a different sibling and season by the children’s book veteran R. W. Alley. Look for Mitchell on the Moon and Annabelle at the South Pole in Fall 2016.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547906928
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	03/08/2016
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD340L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

R. W. Alley is the illustrator of many beloved books, including the Paddington Bear picture book series. He lives in Barrington, Rhode Island. Visit him at www.rwalley.com.

Editorial Reviews

12/21/2015
Four siblings who live by the sea star in this lively kickoff to a seasonally themed, imagination-driven quartet of stories from Alley (Because Your Grandparents Love You). Gretchen’s stuffed bear sets the action in motion when he falls off the porch where the children are playing on a rainy spring day. “Bear overboard!” cries Annabelle, and Clark springs into action, diving into the “water” that suddenly replaces the front lawn. Instantly transforming into a deep-sea diver, Clark attempts to rescue the teddy bear while fighting off hazards that include a “rare, hungry Fur-Shark” that resembles the family dog, a “Million-Mile Eel” (inspired by a garden hose), and more. Alley’s breathless narration hypes up the action (“Triple horrors! The Million-Mile Eel trapped Clark by the fins!”), and his mixed-media illustrations follow suit—the soft pastel palette of the quiet porch scenes gives way to electric colors that energize Clark’s underwater escapade. The siblings’ adventures continue in Gretchen Over the Beach, available simultaneously. Ages 4–7. Agent: Emily Van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"Alley gives readers a story of creating alternate imaginative worlds to escape boredom and enjoy independent adventure. Thanks to transitions from pale to rich watercolors throughout the story, readers can follow Clark and his emotions."
—Kirkus

"Alley’s breathless narration hypes up the action (“Triple horrors! The Million-Mile Eel trapped Clark by the fins!”), and his mixed-media illustrations follow suit—the soft pastel palette of the quiet porch scenes gives way to electric colors that energize Clark’s underwater escapade."
—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

An afternoon stuck on the porch during a rainstorm turns into a grand adventure when Bear loses his balance and gets tossed into harm’s way. It is Clark to the rescue! He plunges into the yard and saves Bear from the clutches of the dog turned Fur-Shark, escapes from the doghouse/sea cave, and battles the garden hose/Million-Mile Eel. But when Clark and Bear get tangled in a tall grass/seaweed bog, it is Clark’s turn to need saving. Good thing his brother and sister braved the sea storm, too. All return safely to the porch where they dry off and wait for the rain to stop. Alley’s bright illustrations play on the fantasized exploits while giving hints as to their realistic counterparts. The brief text, liberally sprinkled with exclamation marks and sound effects, begs to be read out loud. This is one rollicking, imaginative adventure that will be sure to please young readers and listeners. Reviewer: Amy McMillan Pruhs; Ages 3 to 8.

Children's Literature - Amy McMillan Pruhs

2015-12-22
The power of imagination brings four white siblings together when a rainy spring day strands them on their porch. While damp weather hinders their plan to enjoy the outdoors, Clark, Gretchen, Annabelle, and Mitchell wait on their porch, coloring and playing board games. The youngest one, Gretchen, invites her siblings to watch her toy circus, in which her beloved, egg-shaped "roly-polys" and teddy bear show off their acrobatic skills. When Bear loses its balance and falls "overboard," Clark jumps off the porch, and the front yard suddenly turns into the deep blue sea. With scuba gear, Clark plunges into the sea to find Bear. In his journey, he encounters different underwater creatures, which readers will see are imaginative variations of things present in his yard. In this spring entry in his seasonal sibling quartet, Alley gives readers a story of creating alternate imaginative worlds to escape boredom and enjoy independent adventure. Thanks to transitions from pale to rich watercolors throughout the story, readers can follow Clark and his emotions. Although the conceit is sweet, as an imaginary adventure, it pales in comparison to the many others already on the shelves. A pleasant-enough tale about sibling interactions and escapism. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews