Pre-order
1
of
1
The Deep Dark Ocean
Brief Description
Travel to the bottom of the ocean to explore the hidden deep sea environment with marine biologist Dr Helen Scales. The deep sea is the biggest, most mysterious part of our planet. For a long time, scientists thought it was just a huge empty space, devoid...
Read More
Format: Hardback
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Pre-order
Releases
24th
October 2026
(Approx. Date)
Pre-order "The Deep Dark Ocean" now to secure your copy from our first shipment
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Deep Dark Ocean
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Latest News
Romance for Spring - Groundbreaking!
Lizzy is sharing her top picks for Spring reads in the romance and romantasy genre...
The ‘Fourth Wing’ graphic novel covers have been revealed
The covers for ‘Fourth Wing, The Graphic Novel: Volume One’ have officially been revealed, with...
Books about Bookshops (across almost every genre)
Books about books, bookshops, and booksellers - it's my favourite thing. Here's a small selection...
What the Book Hero team is excited for
With so many pre-orders coming in the last few months of the year, we asked...
Meet Reverie Puzzles: Puzzles Made for Book Lovers
Reverie Puzzles have arrived at Book Hero and they might just be the perfect puzzles...
See moreTravel to the furthest depths of the ocean to explore the hidden deep-sea environment with marine biologist Dr. Helen Scales.
Travel to the bottom of the ocean to explore the hidden deep sea environment with marine biologist Dr Helen Scales.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Travel to the bottom of the ocean to explore the hidden deep sea environment with marine biologist Dr Helen Scales.
The deep sea is the biggest, most mysterious part of our planet. For a long time, scientists thought it was just a huge empty space, devoid of life: too dark, too cold, too much pressure and not enough food. Now we know differently: the deep sea is full of amazing life all the way to the very bottom. In order to survive down there, animals get up to all sorts of strange things and look completely different to anything else on Earth.
Written by award-winning marine biologist and author Dr Helen Scales, The Deep Dark Ocean comprehensively visualises the deep ocean environment and brings its beautiful and unbelievable quirks to life. Readers will find themselves immersed in the velvety dark landscapes of deep sea plains, trenches and mountain ranges, and discover ghostly octopuses, sea pigs, dancing crabs, coral and sponge forests, Elvis worms and Ninja lanternsharks among other remarkable creatures.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780500653937
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 05 November 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd
Illustration: Illustrated in colour throughout; 48 Illustrations, color
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Ana Miminoshvili
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Width: 230.0mm
Height: 300.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 48
About the Author
Dr Helen Scales is a marine biologist, writer and broadcaster who divides her time between the UK and France. In 2025, her books for adults, What the Wild Sea Can Be, was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction and the Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing and longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction. Her children's books include the global bestseller What a Shell Can Tell and Scientists in the Wild: Antarctica, which was shortlisted for the Children's Travel Book of the Year and The Week Junior Children's STEM Book of the Year. She writes regularly for the Guardian, teaches at Cambridge University and is a storytelling ambassador for the Save Our Seas Foundation. @drhelenscales
Ana Miminoshvili is an award-winning illustrator and designer from Tbilisi, Georgia. Ana won the Communication Arts Excellence Award 2023 and the YOUNG GUNS 22 Creative Choice Award in 2022. Her clients include The New York Times, The New Yorker, GQ and The Washington Post, among others. @anano__
Also by Helen Scales
View all-
18% offWhat the Wild Sea Can Be
LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2025 No matter where we live, What the Wild Sea Can Be, Helen Scales observes in her bracing yet hopeful exploration of the future of the ocean. Beginning with its fascinating deep history, Scales links past to present to show how prehistoric ocean ecology holds lessons for the ocean of today. In elegant,...Paperback$3100Usually:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Shell Spotter’s Guide
Turn any beach into a treasure hunt with this beautifully illustrated book packed with surprising and delightful wonders of nature. Looking for seashells and learning their names is the perfect way to explore Britain’s coastline at leisure. It’s a nostalgic, simple pleasure, and a way to discover some of nature’s most exquisite wonders. From the common cockle to the blue-rayed...Hardback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Around the Ocean in 80 Fish and other Sea Life
Dive beneath the waves to meet 80 of the ocean's strangest and most surprising inhabitants. This beautifully illustrated aquatic world tour tells the fascinating stories of beguiling sea creatures and their ingenious feats of survival - from producing anti-freeze to enduring boiling temperatures - revealing the ways in which these seemingly remote creatures have shaped our own lives, whether through...Hardback$6100Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
20% offWild Seas Jigsaw - 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Discover the extraordinary ways the world's oceans and sea life are coming back from the brink and making remarkable recoveries in this stunning new 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, with 20 uniquely shaped pieces that give a new twist to puzzling. Beautifully illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors and accompanied by a fold-out poster with text written by Dr Helen Scales, discover...1000 PieceGame$3600Usually:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Shells... and what they hide inside
In this board book companion to What a Shell Can Tell, award-winning marine biologist and documentary maker, Helen Scales, introduces children ages 2-4 to the wonders of shells. With over 40 flaps to lift creating interactive opportunities on every page and stunningly lifelike illustrations, children are encouraged to observe, engage with, and understand a range of shells and environments. From...Board book$4300Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
Around the World in 50 Fish
Dive beneath the waves to meet 50 extraordinary ocean inhabitants in this 1000-piece puzzle. Piece together seahorses and clownfish in the shallows, then travel to the depths and spot deep-sea creatures like vampire squid and dragonfish. Discover the fascinating stories of marine life from around the globe on the fold-out poster guide. A 1000-PIECE JIGSAW featuring sea life from all...1000 PieceJigsaw$5900Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
Wild Earth Jigsaw
Piece together flora and fauna from around the globe in this 1000-piece puzzle, with 20 specially shaped pieces. Vibrantly illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors and accompanied by a fold-out poster with text written by Dr Helen Scales. Discover the extraordinary ways the world's land dwelling wildlife are surviving and thriving, find out how the Voeltzkow species chameleon was lost...1000 PieceJigsaw$6100Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
Ocean Art
Artists have captured the marvels of ocean life throughout history. From fine art to scientific illustrations, these portrayals help us to appreciate and interpret the diversity of shapes, colours and patterns of the remarkable organisms that inhabit the oceans of the world. In Ocean Art, marine biologist and writer Helen Scales takes readers on a tour of ocean art, looking...Hardback$6900Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
Into the Deep Sharing Puzzle
This jigsaw puzzle has 180 pieces in two different sizes: big pieces for little hands and little pieces for bigger hands. They all fit together to make one complete puzzle, so the whole family can enjoy working together—kids and grown-ups, beginners and experts! Spot all your favourite sea creatures while piecing together the oceanic scene, from the Whale Shark and...180 PieceJigsaw$5200Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 2-3 weeks -
What the Wild Sea Can Be
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTIONLONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION No matter where we live, we are all ocean people, Helen Scales observes in her bracing yet hopeful exploration of the future of the ocean. Beginning with its fascinating deep history, Scales links past to present to show how prehistoric ocean ecology holds lessons for the...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Oceanopedia
Discover an incredible world hidden beneath the waves with this beautiful encyclopedia of our oceans and the animals that live in and around them. Our planet's oceans are home to a breathtaking array of animals. From the neon squid that roam the open waters and the floating forests of the Sargasso Sea, to glow-in-the-dark sharks and the angel fish of...HardbackSold Out -
Return of the Wild
Discover the extraordinary ways nature has come back from the brink in this collection of 20 environmental success stories from around the world, written by Dr Helen Scales and beautifully illustrated by Good Wives and Warriors. From humpback whale populations thriving again in the freezing seas of Alaska and the recovery of kiwi populations in New Zealand, to the setting...HardbackSold Out
More from Children's Books
View all-
Buy to WinNew ReleaseGiant Heart
Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...Hardback$1999Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Cass and the Beast
A sweeping and original picture book about a girl who chooses not to be afraid, a modern-day heroine in a story we feel in our bones like an ancient folktale. When a fearful beast arrives in the township, Cass finds her courage and is rewarded with a wild and magical journey. The creature takes her on a thundering ride through...Hardback$2399Elsewhere:$2999Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips late September -
New ReleaseThe Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...Paperback$1600Elsewhere:$1899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseRoyalslinger
K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise for Dreamslinger: “A mind-blowingly original fantasy adventure—Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseDetective Beans and the Map of Mystery
Enjoy this new DETECTIVE BEANS adventure in the bestselling and award-winning graphic novel series by Li Chen! Your favourite kitten detective is back with a new mystery to solve . . . and treasure to find! When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans is determined to find the prize at the end. The clues take him all over...Paperback$1900Elsewhere:$2200Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseMei Mei the Bunny
Mei Mei the Bunny is Laufey's picture book debut about a bunny learning to believe in herself through music. Experience a heartwarming tale of self-belief in this enchanting picture book by GRAMMY Award-winning musician Laufey. Meet Mei Mei, a little bunny with a big dream—to spread joy through her music! As her debut recital at the H'Opera House draws near,...Hardback$3199Elsewhere:$3800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseHunted: Wolf Girl 15
Just when Wolf Girl is finally reunited with her father, he is torn away from her once more, and Gwen vows to stop at nothing to track him down. But danger is closing in: a giant snow leopard and a mysterious hooded figure are hot on their trail. As Gwen and the pack race through deep caverns to snowy peaks,...Paperback$1699Elsewhere:$1899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseWhat If You Could
From the former prime minister of New Zealand comes a guide for teens on chasing your dreams and embracing the unexpected qualities that truly make a person strong. When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand, she was one of the youngest people in the world leading a country. Many people thought she would never succeed — herself included....Paperback$2599Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove
Eleven-year-old Lonasei is lonely — she wishes her older sister Eva Grace wasn't so mean, and that her mum Aria didn't have to work so much. But when Aria inherits her childhood home, Lonasei discovers she can enter her late Aunt Malia's paintings and experience the memories within. Through them, she discovers that her mother had another sister, Agnes, who went...Paperback$2199Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Dawn Raid: The Apology
This sequel to Dawn Raid follows Sofia Savea’s family, 50 years later, as Sofia's grandson becomes involved in the quest for a government apology. INVERCARGILL, 2020 Wow, I thought I knew a bit about the dawn raids, but this is HUGE. It happened to my OWN family and I never knew! I had no idea that Granfia and her family...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2099Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseBig Bang Bread
In this time-travel storybook and cookbook with a cosmic twist, take a journey through time and space to discover the secrets of baking! Did you know that bread is made from stardust? Board the rocket and blast off on an adventure through time and space to discover the secrets of a home-baked loaf! Big Bang Bread is a kids' time-travel...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
B is for Bird
From award-winning artist, Lily Emo, comes a beautiful celebration of birds. Paired with a fun rhyming story, gorgeous illustrations, and fold-out pages, this book is set to be a favourite for everyone and the perfect gift. Make your way through the alphabet with this stunning book featuring a cast of familiar birds. From albatross to fantails, gannets to quail, and...Hardback$1999Elsewhere:$2499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
