Underwater Park

Helena Harastova is a writer, translator, and mother. She graduated in Dramaturgy from the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts, having previously worked for the National Theatre in Brno, Czech Republic. Her most unusual pastime is proofreading texts for errors in spelling, grammar, and style.Born in Olsztyn in 1991, Justyna Holubowska-Chrzaszczak graduated from the Faculty of Graphics at the Gdansk Academy of Fine Arts. A self-proclaimed gardener and proud cat owner of three lovely cats, she works primarily with digital painting and enjoys cycling. Her clients include Newsweek, Palmolive, ALDI, the Moscow Times, and various Polish publishing houses. She lives in Gdansk, Poland.

Selected for May 2025 Hot Off the Press of CBC Book List"Gr 3-5–The underwater world reveals its wonders in this nonfiction text that uses an amusement park theme to guide readers through several layers of underwater life, sharing information about seahorses, sharks, and sea cucumbers. At the “dino park,” readers discover fossils and animals that have not changed appearance in millions of years. The “grand feast” section explores predators under the sea as well as plankton that feed many whales. The text uses captions to help readers learn about specific animal and plant life. It features vocabulary words like snooty and radiant, and readers will appreciate the informal tone mixed with the advanced learning of ecosystems. Structurally, this text works perfectly for dipping into and out of at leisure, rather than reading cover to cover. VERDICT While the vocabulary and illustrations are detailed, not all animal and plant life in each amusement park attraction are fully described, but that may serve as a positive way to introduce readers to underwater ecosystems that warrant further exploration." —Tracey S. Hodges, School Library Journal"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. 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. 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." —Evren Dodd, YA Books Central"Great book for many ages. Easy to read. Illustrations were fantastic. Fun information told in a unique way." —NetGalley-Librarian"This was a great story for young readers and very well written! The pictures were entertaining!" —Ally K., NetGalley-Reviewer"I really loved this book. For those interested in the many species that roam beneath the ocean waves, this is a great view. Find some fun facts, who's who, and what you should avoid. Fun and engaging. The illustrations were top notch, and will keep kiddos entertained as they search each page." —Rebecca Hill, Blogger