Monday Morning Book Review: Derek the Dredger and The Underwater Archaeologists

The cover of Derek the Dredger and The Underwater Archaeologists.

It all begins when marine archaeologists, Professor Archie O'Logy and Professor Marie Time, have engine trouble after a day of looking for the "remains of a 400 year old Spanish Galleon". Derek the Dredger appears on the horizon and insures their rescue. The two divers and Derek tell each other about their jobs. Derek promises to call the professors if he makes any future archaeological discoveries. Of course, that is exactly what happens next!




Inside illustration.

Young children who are fascinated by boats and the ocean will really enjoy this book. Derek the Dredger provides an introduction to different ships and their purposes including historic shipwrecks.
The book is beautifully illustrated. There is a glossary in the back for the "words you may not know".

This book is written by Rebecca Causer (she also did the illustrations) and Alison Hamer. It was published by the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology in association with English Heritage, and DEFRA Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

I like that Derek and the professors cooperate with each other in order to achieve the protection of archaeological sites. However, my favorite thing about this book is the extra resources available online whether you purchase the book or not.

Here are coloring sheets, word finds, and puzzles to download where you can see more of the book's illustration style.

The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology website is full of educational resources to explore, including videos, games, and virtual dives.

Derek the Dredger and The Underwater Archaeologists costs 7 British pounds, roughly $11.00 including shipping to the United States. There are more books featuring Derek the Dredger and maritime archaeology. The full list of books and to buy Derek the Dredger and The Underwater Archaeologists are available here.

Here are links to  more children's book reviews from the Florida Public Archaeology Network, Northeast:

                                                    Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

                                        by Laban Carrick Hill, Illustrated by Bryan Collier

                                                                       Shipwreck
                                                    by Claire Aston and Peter Dennis



                                                         Archaeologists Dig for Clues
                                                                     by Katie Duke


 This summer, library's from coast to coast have as their theme, "Dig into Summer Reading!" for young people. FPAN is doing library programs across the state of Florida. For a list of programs in northeast Florida and a list of children's recommended reads, visit our blog post titled, "Let's Dig into Summer Reading!".

Blog Text: Jen Knutson, FPAN Staff