Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep

by Elaine M. Alexander, Fiona Fogg (Illustrator)

Overview

“A fun and creepy fish tale brimming with scientific appeal.” —Kirkus Reviews

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536246957
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	11/11/2025
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.06(w) x 9.81(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

It might not be fair to judge a book by its cover, but the arresting cover of 'Anglerfish,' with the needle-toothed creature about to chomp down on the title, is a wonderful encapsulation of this entertaining biography of a deep-sea terror. . . . It’s fascinating from beginning to end — and a bit nightmarish, in a good way.”
—The Virginian Pilot

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

From the Publisher

2022-02-09
The fascinating life cycle of a fearsome fish is examined.

After starting life as a tiny egg, a baby anglerfish hatches near the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. The expressive young creature dodges predators and fishing nets and develops over the years. The seadevil, a type of deep-sea anglerfish, is known for the distinctive glowing “fishing pole” that grows between its eyes as the fish matures and makes its home in deep waters. The survival of this truly bizarre-looking fish is illustrated in shadowy montages that are at once eerie and charming. Eventually, the solitary adult anglerfish meets a mate and releases countless eggs to begin a new generation. The narrative explores the anglerfish’s intriguing existence in detail without becoming overly dense. Interesting tidbits (for example, the anglerfish can swallow prey twice its size) abound. A few scientific terms, like bioluminescent and midnight zone, are seamlessly integrated into the text, allowing readers to decode their meaning with ease. The backmatter provides more in-depth information about the species, its adaptations, and its mating habits. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A fun and creepy fish tale brimming with scientific appeal. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews