All Aboard! Submarines by Helena Harastova and Kiarmuid O Cathain

This interesting and cleverly presented hardcover board book about all things submarine-related but written with younger readers in mind, will provide an engaging read. Karl the kiwi bird is fascinated by the silvery surface of the ocean and what may lie beneath. He makes numerous attempts to work out how to stay below the surface but nothing works. He eventually decides to do some research and learns so much along the way to help him achieve his goal.

Karl’s underwater journey is accessible for all readers with the text thoughtfully positioned amongst detailed and colourful illustrations. From the very first page where Karl begins his adventure, there is so much to learn from the clearly labelled and well-presented pages: general information about the ocean, how to build a submarine, below the surface, history of submarines, human creations in the deep, zones of the ocean, life in the deep, colour (with the American spelling of color) in the ocean, icy waters, and the future.

For those children who enjoy factual information, this latest book in the All Aboard Series will be a wonderful addition to a home, school or public library. The sturdy presentation of the book is an added bonus and will withstand multiple readings. Other books in the series are, All Aboard! Rockets and All Aboard! Planes.

Themes: Submarines, Information, Infographics, Marine Life, Science, Technology.

Kathryn Beilby