Anglerfish is being reprinted! It will be back in stock by the end of July!
Anglerfish: The seadevil 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.
Bank Street College of Education Cook Prize Winner
PRAISE FOR ANGLERFISH:
The fascinating life cycle of a fearsome fish is examined. . . . A few scientific terms, like bioluminescent and midnight zone, are seamlessly integrated into the text, allowing readers to decode their meaning with ease. . . . A fun and creepy fish tale brimming with scientific appeal.
—Kirkus Reviews
Fogg’s exceptional digital illustrations capture the contrasts; a cute, young, googly-eyed fry, floating in the lighter blue shallow seas surrounded by her egg jelly, becomes the dangerous seadevil darting across inky pages, sweeping that harsh light back and forth as if the reader could be her next meal.
—The Horn Book
Alexander probes the depths of the ocean in this fantastically illustrated study of anglerfish. . . . Readers will glean a lot of fascinating information about this curious creature. —Booklist
An appealing science book; Alexander fills it with fascinating facts about anglerfish and the deep sea. Its pacing is smart; the choices around composition, including the occasional use of vertical panels, add a specific visual pacing and rhythm to the anglerfish’s tale. Fogg’s illustrations bring the darkest part of the deep sea to life with accuracy, drama, and a visual richness. —Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Children will appreciate the tenacity of this resilient creature and cheer her on once they have experienced her trials and tribulations through the combined talents of Alexander and Fogg. —Youth Services Book Review
*Starred Review: An appropriately in-depth look at one of Earth’s odder aquatic creatures, this book is a must-have for every nonfiction collection. —School Library Journal
Highly recommended for discriminating elementary-level libraries and adults who look for good read-aloud choices. Darkly realistic illustrations by Fiona Fogg, as it explores the natural history of one of the deep sea’s strangest fish….designed to delight readers. —Midwest Book Reviews
Accessible, fun spotlight on a special fish. —YA Book Central
School/Library visits
Simple Story Time
Read-aloud of ANGLERFISH followed by Q&A. Paper craft can be provided upon request.
Best suited for ages 4-8
Pricing varies depending on travel
Looking for something different for an author visit? Email me!
Specialty Story Times
Mrs. Claus or other special themed story hours. Craft can be provided upon request. Please contact me for pricing.
***Local Only
About Elaine
As an author and a librarian, books play a big role in my life!
Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep is my first nonfiction picture book. It has received both an SCBWI Barbara Karlin Grant, a Katherine Paterson Prize and was a Gold Medalist for the Bank Street College’s Cook Prize.
I’m pleased to share that I’ll have a second fishy-tale coming out in 2025 featuring the giant cuttlefish, to be followed by one on fireflies in 2026! The shy giant Pacific octopus will make an appearance in a future book, too!
A fan of dark mysteries and the natural world, I am fascinated by all things extraordinary and unique. I write stories for all ages. I have one published teen novel, Death at Deacon Pond, and two historical novels that I am hoping to find a publisher home.
Currently the Assistant Director/Children’s Librarian at Deep River Public Library, I love sharing the joy of reading to the community I serve. I’ve been known to dress up in character for storytime and I have an impressive collection of costumes and props, from superhero to Mrs. Claus. If you are interested in a specialized story time, contact me for more details.
