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Heads and Tails: Underwater


Synopsis


A side-shuffler with nippy claws. A gentle giant who can sing. Which creature is on the next page? Discover a gorgeous book for all those who love water dwellers, or following clues.

I have eight long, flexible arms.
Which creature am I?

Swimming, gliding, croaking, or clawing . . . can you guess which underwater creature will appear next? Follow the clues from page to page, from tail to head, to discover whether it is a crab or an eel, a frog or a starfish, an octopus or a seahorse, or . . . what is that sneaking in the water? With beautiful, fluid illustrations inspired by nineteenth-century prints, this intriguing guessing game-a follow-up to Heads and Tails and Heads and Tails: Insects-will have curious children diving right in.

John Canty (author), John Canty (illustrator)

Summary

Chapter 1: The Surface

* Introduces the setting of the book: a deep-sea expedition to the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth.
* Describes the crew of the submersible, including marine biologist Dr. Helen Jones, engineer Jake Davis, and pilot Captain Thomas.
* Sets up the conflict when a sudden storm strikes, damaging the submersible and cutting off communication with the surface.

Example:

> The surface of the water began to churn, the waves growing into monstrous mountains that threatened to swallow the submersible whole. Dr. Jones gripped the armrests tightly, her knuckles turning white as the vessel lurched and twisted.

Chapter 2: Descent into Darkness

* The submersible descends into the inky depths of the ocean, encountering strange and wonderful creatures.
* Dr. Jones discovers a bioluminescent fish that provides the only source of light in the darkness.
* Captain Thomas faces technical difficulties with the submersible, realizing that their time underwater is limited.

Example:

> A large, jellyfish-like creature with iridescent tentacles glided past the submersible. Its body pulsed with an ethereal light, illuminating the surrounding water like a thousand tiny stars.

Chapter 3: Depths of Discovery

* The crew reaches the bottom of the Mariana Trench, amazed by the surreal and alien landscape.
* Dr. Jones collects samples of deep-sea organisms, hoping to find new species and insights into the evolution of life.
* Jake discovers a mysterious glowing crystal on the ocean floor, sparking his curiosity.

Example:

> The crystal shimmered with an otherworldly hue, its surface covered in intricate patterns that resembled ancient hieroglyphs. Jake couldn't resist reaching out and touching it, hoping to unlock its secrets.

Chapter 4: Shadows in the Abyss

* The crew experiences strange and unsettling phenomena, including unexplained sounds and flickering lights.
* Dr. Jones senses an unknown presence lurking in the depths, growing increasingly uneasy.
* Captain Thomas detects a massive object approaching the submersible, triggering panic.

Example:

> A faint scratching sound echoed through the darkness, followed by a sudden jolt that sent the submersible spinning. Dr. Jones' heart raced as she realized something was trying to get inside.

Chapter 5: Escape and Aftermath

* The crew fights for their lives as the submersible is attacked by a colossal creature.
* Jake uses the glowing crystal to emit a powerful pulse that drives away the creature.
* The submersible ascends to the surface, battered but alive, leaving behind the mysteries and horrors of the deep.

Example:

> The submersible shot upwards with a deafening roar, Jake clinging to the controls as the creature's massive form filled the viewscreen. The crystal in his hand glowed brighter than ever, emitting a blinding light that forced the creature to retreat.