Clark in the Deep Sea

Four siblings who live by the sea star in this lively kickoff to a seasonally themed, imagination-driven quartet of stories from Alley (Because Your Grandparents Love You). Gretchen’s stuffed bear sets the action in motion when he falls off the porch where the children are playing on a rainy spring day. “Bear overboard!” cries Annabelle, and Clark springs into action, diving into the “water” that suddenly replaces the front lawn. Instantly transforming into a deep-sea diver, Clark attempts to rescue the teddy bear while fighting off hazards that include a “rare, hungry Fur-Shark” that resembles the family dog, a “Million-Mile Eel” (inspired by a garden hose), and more. Alley’s breathless narration hypes up the action (“Triple horrors! The Million-Mile Eel trapped Clark by the fins!”), and his mixed-media illustrations follow suit—the soft pastel palette of the quiet porch scenes gives way to electric colors that energize Clark’s underwater escapade. The siblings’ adventures continue in Gretchen Over the Beach, available simultaneously. Ages 4–7. Agent: Emily Van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (Mar.)