Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep (Creatures of the Deep)

Deep in the darkest part of the ocean, visit a primordial, fierce-toothed fish that draws in prey with its own bioluminescent lure.

Dive thirteen thousand feet below the ocean’s surface, where no ray of sunlight can penetrate. Resources are scarce, and fellow inhabitants scarcer. This is life in the midnight zone—life for the anglerfish, known as the Seadevil of the Deep. Still largely a mystery to scientists, the deep-sea anglerfish is a true source of fascination and awe. To some, the fish resembles a prehistoric creature forgotten by time; to others, she is the embodiment of power, grace, and grit, using her remarkable physical attributes and a talent for deception to survive one of the harshest environments on the planet.

In Anglerfish, author Elaine M. Alexander and illustrator Fiona Fogg shine a small light on this mesmerizing, unforgettable creature. A captivating text paired with stunning artwork complement not only STEM but also language arts and history curricula. More facts about the anglerfish—from how it hunts to the surprising way a female mates with far tinier males—await curious readers in the back matter.

Elaine M. Alexander is an author of books for children. Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep, her first nonfiction picture book, received both an SCBWI Barbara Karlin Grant and a Katherine Paterson Prize. A fan of dark mysteries and the natural world, she is fascinated by all things extraordinary and unique. Currently a youth services librarian at the Deep River Public Library, Elaine M. Alexander lives with her family in Colchester, Connecticut.

Fiona Fogg has worked as a designer and spent several years as a freelance illustrator, specializing in illustrated maps for such UK clients as the National Trust, Natural England, and a variety of museums. She says, “I’m inspired by the forgotten, the misunderstood, and the unusual.” Fiona Fogg lives in the UK.