Brooke McIntyre
If You Went to the Bottom of
the Ocean
by Brooke McIntyre
illustrated by Gordy Wright
Dive down, down through open ocean, past the sea turtles in the sunlight zone, through the twilight and midnight zones (watch out for the giant squid and the 400-year-old shark!), and into the abyssal zone. In most places, you’d be at the bottom of the ocean. But there’s an even deeper place below that bottom— the very, very bottom of the ocean, which we have only just begun to explore . . .
ISBN: 978-1797226514
Reading age: 5-8
Reviews
A Junior Library Guild Selection
★ “Awe-inspiring…. this trip to the ocean’s floor amazes.” ─ Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“An evocative and engaging book that turns deep-sea science into a thrilling exploration. This is an excellent, educational addition to any library and perfect for readers fascinated by the natural world’s greatest mysteries.”
─School Library Journal
“The inviting tone and knowledgeable enthusiasm make this a diverting dive through the oceanic zones. Not a word is wasted in the text… Gouache, ink, and acrylic paints immerse readers in this underwater world.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Compelling… Telling glimpses of the ocean’s wonders, living and otherwise.” ─ Kirkus Reviews
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About
Chronicle Books, Spring 2026
Edited by Naomi Kirsten and Ian Tseng
Book design by Eugenia Yoh
Learn more about illustrator Gordy Wright.
Thank you to the fact-checking, production, and design teams who made this book possible.
