Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
This slightly textured, 30 x24cm, hard-covered children’s picture book is presented with dramatic colours. The author Claire Saxby has teamed up with illustrator Peter Cheong to produce her latest book, Through the Darkening Sea. His collage-style artwork is presented in predominantly dark colours – to follow the dramatic story being told. These colours are contrasted with white, orange and pink.
In this latest book, the author follows the journey of one of the largest sea creatures as it falls to the ocean floor. The reader is not told why it falls but the pages of the book follow its journey from near the surface as it sinks lower and lower. On the way the various sea life found in the different layers of the ocean are introduced. These are greatly influenced by the distance from light above.
The story which is a dramatic tale of the cycle of life begins on the surface of the ocean and ends back in these waters with the birth of new life after descending to the darkest depths.
Claire Saxby writes primarily for young people, and her work aims to engage, entertain, inform and encourage curiosity. Claire’s work is published in Australia and internationally. She has been writing for children for about 15 years. Most of her work foregrounds Australiana and some of the more dramatic environmental happenings. Storm, Volcano and Iceberg are among these.
According to the author, although picture books have only a few words, they have to be the right words and the search for the best words for a picture book can take a very long time. Some stories will not be squeezed into a picture book and demand to be written as novels.
Claire Saxby writes poetry, fiction and non-fiction for young people. She speaks (and sometimes sings) about history, humour, our environment, making stories, writing poetry and researching.
The Darkening Sea is another very interesting book which could generate curiosity.
Through the Darkening Sea
(2026)
Author: Claire Saxby
Illustrator: Peter Cheong
Harper Collins Children’s Books
ISBN: 978-1-4607-6674-3
$24.99; 36pp