Review Detail

UNDERWATER PARK is a stunning picture book that will take children and adults on a wonderous journey under the sea. The book includes mildly fictionalized versions of undersea life in an amusement park. The book also includes educational popups that provide small tidbits of information about the ocean life.

What I Loved:
The art in this book was stunning. The amount of details the illustrator put in to both the amusement park and the underwater animals were stunning. Clear cut lines and vivid colors draw a reader’s attention. The realistically drawn animals allow for children to identify the creatures being spoken about. There is enough contrast that the tidbits and creature names are easy to read.

The book has small popups to provide information about the creatures that are on the page. These popups are short, usually a sentence or two, that provide educational information for young readers. Some of the information may be known by adults, but I was pleasantly surprised by the wide array of details given. The book included creatures and lifeforms that aren’t as well known as some of the others.

The blend of the amusement park and the educational information was fun. It kept the book exciting. It also provided a lot of stunning illustrations and details in both the foreground and background. The writer and illustrator put in effort to categorize the animals in ways that fit together. Dark areas, relaxing areas, these areas separate the animals in a way that makes visual sense.

What Left Me Wanting More:
The tidbits of information, while fun and educational, weren’t present for all of the underwater creatures. A couple of the creatures were given completely fictionalized bits of information. While cute, it was distracting and can confuse young readers who may not know better.

Final Verdict:
UNDERWATER PARK is a children’s picture book about an undersea amusement park and the creatures that attend it. From the small details in the background that add to the overall magical feel to the fold-out map at the front of the book, each detail of this book is carefully crafted and illustrated. While this book can be charming on its own, the added non-fiction popups also provide an educational twist for children or parents who may wish for more than just cute visuals.

An educational picture book full of stunning visuals and engaging designs, UNDERWATER PARK is a gorgeous adventure into an undersea amusement park and the creatures that attend it.