Children’s Book Review: "Dive Deep! 40 Days with God at Sea" from Pauline Books and Media

Is it possible to help Middle School aged children understand the Bible by focusing on the stories of the sea recorded in it?  The new book, Dive Deep! 40 Days with God at Sea, recently published by Pauline Books and Media, thinks the answer is a resounding “Yes!” 

And I agree with them.

Written by Orianne Pietra Rene Dyck, FSP, the new book aims to take readers ages 9-12 on a prayerful journey with the Lord, with one short reading per day, over 40 days.  The book is divided into three parts and each part is further separated into specific stories, broken into two day segments. So, for example, Part One focuses on stories of the sea in the Old Testament, starting with Creation and going through Noah, Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, Jonah, and others.  Two days are devoted to each story under the headings “Setting Sail”(first day) and “Dive Deep” (second day).

What’s Inside?

On the days spent “setting sail,” the reader is introduced to the Bible story and given some cultural and historical background.  The next day, readers work through the “Dive Deep,” section, thoughtfully reflecting on the story or saint for that day. But besides the story and reflections on the story, interesting scientific facts are also included in both sections, helping to draw out the meaning of the story as well as the wonder of the world that God created and some of the interesting and unusual creatures within it.

But it's the way the author connects the created world to the Bible stories and saints that makes this book really stand out. For example, on Day 5, boys and girls will learn not only about the promises that God made to Abraham and Sarah, but also how sand is made. They will read that one of the promises God makes to Abraham is that his descendants will be “as numerous as the sand on the seashore.”  Next, they read, “Do you know how sand on the seashore is made?” and discover the Fun Fact that “most sand is created by wind and water breaking down rocks over time,” or from broken-down shells. But some sand is made from “parrotfish poop.” When the parrotfish swallow pieces of coral, they are unable to digest it and poop it out as sand instead.  

It's highly likely that most Middle Schoolers will remember the story of Abraham and God’s promise of descendants “as numerous as the sand on the seashore” after reading this excerpt. The section goes on to guide and expand the reader’s understanding by explaining how God’s promise was to extend to the whole world, to many different nationalities, and that our Baptism makes us descendants of Abraham. 

Each section also includes a “Prayer Prompt,” an original, specific prayer that ties back to the story just read. There is also a “Seafarer’s Challenge,” meaning something concrete and practical that the kids are asked to do. In this case on Day 5, it’s to look up the date of their own Baptism and to mark it down on the calendar, perhaps even celebrating it each year. Some sections have a “Sailor’s Log” listed instead of the “Seafarer’s Challenge.” The “Sailor’s Log” gives kids an opportunity to reflect on the story, facts and prayer they’ve just read, and journal their responses in the note pages of the book.

Part Two focuses on stories of the sea from the New Testament, like Peter Walks on the Water, Jesus Asleep in the Boat and Paul’s Shipwreck from the Acts of the Apostles. The last part of the book talks about The Church and saints who are associated with the sea. On Day 33, for example, readers will learn about Stella Maris, one of the most ancient titles for Mary, and compare her to the “lodestar,” a star used for navigating because it “always stays in the same spot, directly over the north pole.” Other saints in Part Three include St. Brendan, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, and St. Damien of Molokai. 

Dive Deep! 40 Days with God at Sea ends by inviting the reader to follow in the footsteps of the prophets and saints they have learned about by writing down their own story.  Using guided prompts, kids can think about their favorite story and record what facts they found most interesting during their own voyage.  They are invited to write their own prayer to God, and remember one thing they have been inspired to do as a result of spending the 40 imaginative days on the high seas with the Lord. 

Good Gift for Many Different Readers

Sr. Orianne’s style of writing communicates well with this age group. She is clear but not condescending, and her love for God’s word and his saints, as well as her desire to share this love with the reader, is shown throughout the book. The original artwork, done for the book by illustrator Romi Caron, is a treat. The pictures are imaginative, full of motion and color, and are engaging without being overwhelming. They coordinate seamlessly with each story, helping to bring the text to life. 

This book would make a great birthday or Christmas gift for any child.  It would also work well as a read-aloud book for younger kids, since there’s a lot to look at with the beautiful illustrations. It would even make a nice addition to the library of any highschooler or even adult who likes fairy tales and anagogical stories, since the book as a whole weaves together stories, facts, prayer, action and journaling, showing that God speaks to us in many different ways. Available on Amazon and at the Daughters of St. Paul website for just under $25, this book integrates God's word with the world he created and the saints who love him, and it invites us to come along on a journey with God and “put out into the deep.”