The Search for Carmella

December 15, 2024
An imaginary expedition to find a mythical sea creature. Savage's new book follows a similar storyline as her debut, The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish (2023). Light-skinned Dr. Rose, an intrepid marine biologist, gathers a diverse crew to prove the existence of an elusive, legendary sea creature that resembles a giant squid, though its species is never identified. Carmella, as they call the beast, supposedly "roams the deepest, darkest oceans, lighting up the water with its magic." To track the creature, Dr. Rose descends into the ocean in a submersible, along with brown-skinned pilot Anne and Stanley the dog. It's not clear where this expedition takes place, but there are flamingoes on the ship's deck and flying nearby. "Mile after mile, they see absolutely nothing at all," but readers are in on Savage's hide-and-seek game: Lurking above the submersible is a giant crimson tentacle likely belonging to Carmella. Dr. Rose and Anne don't see the tentacle, but they delight in the oddball gossamer glowing white creatures floating around them, "some tiny, some spiny, some like squishy, shimmering jelly," artfully and whimsically illustrated in ink and watercolor. The women keep searching but never glimpse what readers see as Carmella lurks below them, culminating in a beautiful spread of the submersible reflected in the eye of the beast. As with her previous book, Savage includes playful ship cutaways that show the activities of the crew on board. Dreamy.(Picture book. 3-7)

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March 14, 2025

PreS-Gr 2-This enchanting picture book follows the journey of Dr. Rose, a passionate marine biologist whose childhood fascination with the sea blossoms into a career of adventure and discovery. With a determined spirit, she embarks on an extraordinary mission to uncover the truth behind Carmella, a mythical sea creature rumored to inhabit the ocean's mysterious depths. Joined by her team of scientists and explorers aboard a submersible, she plunges into the dark world of the deep sea. Readers are introduced to an array of fascinating marine life depicted in breathtaking illustrations. From the shimmering blues of shallow rock pools to the black ocean depth, the colors on every page immerse readers in a vibrant aquatic world. The intricate depictions of sea creatures are inspired by science and a delight, while attention to detail brings the wonders of marine biology to life. VERDICT A fantastic addition to library collections with an inspiring heroine and a window into deep-sea exploration, this is perfect choice for story hours and STEM programs alike.-Susan McClellan

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