{"product_id":"whale-fall-exploring-an-ocean-floor-ecosystem-9780593380604","title":"Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis fascinating nonfiction picture book filled with stunning illustrations details the end of life for a whale, also known as a whale fall, when its body sinks to the ocean floor and becomes an energy-rich food source for organisms living in the deep sea. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWinner of the AAAS\/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books - An ALA Notable Children's Book - A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen a whale dies, its massive body silently sinks down, down, through the inky darkness, finally coming to rest on the silty seafloor. For the whale, it's the end of a 70-year-long life. But for a little-known community of deep-sea dwellers, it's a new beginning. First come the hungry hagfish, which can smell the whale from miles around. Then the sleeper sharks begin their prowl, feasting on skin and blubber. After about six months, the meat is gone. Year after year, decade after decade, the whale nourishes all kinds of organisms from zombie worms to squat lobsters to deep-sea microbes. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis completely fascinating real-life phenomenon is brought to vivid and poetic life by nonfiction master Melissa Stewart and acclaimed illustrator Rob Dunlavey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMelissa Stewart\u003c\/b\u003e has written more than 200 science books for children, including \u003ci\u003eTree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks\u003c\/i\u003e; the ALA Notable Book \u003ci\u003eFeathers: Not Just for Flying\u003c\/i\u003e and the SCBWI Golden Kite Honor title \u003ci\u003ePipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs\u003c\/i\u003e. She co-authored \u003ci\u003e5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Enriching Reading and Writing Instruction with Children's Books\u003c\/i\u003e and edited the anthology \u003ci\u003eNonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-Winning Authors Reveal the Secret of Engaging Writing\u003c\/i\u003e. Melissa maintains the award-winning blog Celebrate Science and serves on the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators board of advisors. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eRob Dunlavey\u003c\/b\u003e is the illustrator of \u003ci\u003eIn the Woods\u003c\/i\u003e by David Elliott, which received three starred reviews, and \u003ci\u003eOwl Sees Owl\u003c\/i\u003e by Laura Goodwin, which garned four starred reviews and was named a \u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal \u003c\/i\u003eBest Book of the Year, among others. His artwork has been featured in the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times, \u003c\/i\u003e the \u003ci\u003eBoston Globe, Businessweek, \u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Random House Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50599383761170,"sku":"9780593380604","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_4cc7c02e-e74a-4185-b94a-428d958ab138.jpg?v=1732200301","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/whale-fall-exploring-an-ocean-floor-ecosystem-9780593380604","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}