Greta Green Builds a Submarine

Energetic rhymes describe a youth pursuing dreams of ocean exploration in this buoying story from Fliess and Cooper. During a beach cleanup, an idea hits brown-skinned Greta Green “like a wave”: she’ll make a submarine out of the gathered materials. Construction happens in a flash (“radar, cameras, captain’s chair,/ rudders, periscope”), and the budding eco-explorer is soon “descending, slow and steady.” When the submersible becomes stuck on a wrecked ship housing gold and rare artifacts, Greta donates the find in support of ocean conservation for an ending that’s as fanciful as the rest of the story. With mottled coloring, action-packed animation-style scenes underscore the text’s themes by presenting Greta with alternating expressions of awe and determination as she navigates an ocean teeming with aquatic creatures and found resources. Back matter includes notes about female pioneers of the sea. Ages up to 7. (Mar.)