Shipwreck

by Deirdre Laide, Carlos Velez (illustrator)

Dive below the surface and explore famous and infamous shipwrecks along with the intrepid scientists, divers, and treasure hunters who found the ships' final resting places. From the Titanic to Shackleton's Endurance, this lyrical story illuminates the tragedies that brought these ships down as well as the scientific techniques, dedicated scientists, and lucky breaks that ultimately led to their discoveries. Sidebars filled with facts and robust backmatter make this book perfect for curious, adventurous readers.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting picture book! The cover promises the reader a wild adventure and the poetic text and energetic illustrations deliver. Kids will experience a variety of actual shipwrecks from the comfort of their homes.

This is now one of my favorite non-fiction picture books!

[Kamilla Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful, lyrical story introduces readers to what shipwrecks are and tells the stories of noteworthy wrecks and their discovery around the globe. Beautiful writing combines with colourful, immersive art and well-developed additional content to make this a rich source for pleasure, learning and rereading.

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulls kids in immediately, starting with the stunning cover, those amazing endpapers, and the gripping text. My kid spent a lot of time flipping through the pages after we were done reading, just appreciating the art. This is the perfect combination of beautiful writing and incredible illustration coming together in a book that your kids will want to revisit often. Highly recommended!

[Meneka Repka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I was mesmerized by this book and learned so much! Deirdre Laide takes us on a beautiful adventure around the world and into the depths of the ocean to explore some historical ships and shipwrecks. Carlos Velez Aguilera’s artwork was absolutely stunning- full of texture, depth, and movement, with incredible detail throughout. A perfect addition to a home or school library!

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating book is gorgeously illustrated and lyrically written! Shipwreck features a mix of poetry and facts about boats, ocean life, treasures and more. This book is perfect for curious kids and classrooms alike.

[Stephanie Lucianovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shipwrecks make me shiver in the best way! This gorgeous book includes lovely, lyrical writing along with fascinating facts and histories of well-known (and not so well-known) shipwrecks around the world. I'm entirely enchanted by it!

[Elizabeth E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful blend of poetry, history, and amazing artwork. This book is entertaining, educational, and unexpected. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly gorgeous nonfiction picture book! I enjoyed every page, the art is bold and stunning, the text is powerful and informative. Highly recommend this book for young readers!

[Eve Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids were pouring over this book! Great poetry and such interesting facts.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upper elementary school kids who dream of buried treasure and love reading about disasters will find this gorgeous nonfiction collaboration riveting. Deirdre Laide captures our imagination from the opening page as she employs poetic language to describe a floundering vessel: “...it hits a swirling storm, a rigid rock, a silty sandbar, a mighty iceberg, and becomes…a shipwreck.” The illustration shows a moody and stormy sea threatening a schooner with a mammoth wave; turn the page and now we see the ship at the bottom of the ocean, guarded by a giant glowing red octopus and a school of bright-eyed fish. Laide moves through a lineup of famous wrecks, most of which receive four pages: the first double-spread offers a few atmospheric lines about the ship—typically shown skimming across the water—while the second provides facts about the wreck and images of its present condition as divers and submersibles explore it. Included in the list are famous wrecks, like the Endurance, the Titanic, and the Lusitania, and lesser known ships, such as the riverboat Sultana, the ancient Antikythera, and the steamer Maheno. In the fact-filled sections, the author includes well-researched snippets about losses and technical details. She doesn’t dwell on death (which seems appropriate for her young audience), but she is plain-spoken about lives lost: 1,200 on the Lusitania and 29 on the Edmund Fitzgerald, for example. Kids curious about how wrecks are discovered and salvaged will find clear answers here, along with explanations of the trickier questions surrounding who has rights to the found objects.  A final section asks readers what they dream of finding below the water and backmatter includes some information about marine archeology, UNESCO, and a note about the author’s experience with wreck diving.

Carlos Velez Aguilera’s gorgeous illustrations look as though they begin with detailed pencil sketches and textures, including visible watercolor brushstrokes, before (possibly) being finished digitally. Of course, blues and inky blacks predominate, providing atmospheric backdrops for the struggling and decaying vessels. Ominous twisters, blazing fires, and gleaming ice all underscore the fragility of the ships in the face of destructive forces. Every page is full of visual details worthy of study, such as a view of the capsizing Mary Rose from a 16th century parapet or treasure from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha on display at a museum in Key West.  Even the endpapers, expanses of black covered with small full-color images of sea creatures, equipment, and treasure, command our attention. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Kelly Crull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shipwreck is a beautifully crafted picture book that blends poetic storytelling with rich historical detail to explore shipwrecks of all kinds throughout history. Each page offers a dual experience: lyrical, easy-to-read text invites younger readers in, while the more detailed sidebars provide a deeper dive for those eager to learn the full story. The illustrations are a treasure trove in themselves—filled with hidden gems and intricate details that reward careful observation. The book’s ending is especially powerful, asking questions that spark curiosity and wonder: What do you dream of finding below the water? and Would you like to be a marine archaeologist? It’s an inspiring close to an engaging, educational read that invites young adventurers to imagine their own journeys into the deep.

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow! Laide and Velez deliver a stunning blend of lyrical prose, fascinating facts, and breathtaking illustrations. This nonfiction gem takes readers on a captivating journey through shipwrecks both famous and obscure, weaving together history, science, and adventure. From the Titanic to the Edmund Fitzgerald to ones I've never heard of, this book is perfect for curious kids and adults alike, as it balances storytelling and information in an engaging way. Velez's artwork and Laide's fascinating content truly set this book apart. Highly recommended for young explorers and anyone who loves the mysteries of the deep.

[A.J. Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHIPWRECK by Deirdre Laide and Carlos Velez Aguilera is one of my favorite nonfiction picture books of the year! It introduces readers to an incredible variety of shipwrecks though lyrical text, fascinating facts, and powerful art. I think it’s amazing that the author went on a dive to a shipwreck! I imagine this experience played a role in her ability to masterfully capture the essence of shipwrecks. I read this book twice in a row and couldn’t wait to tell my family all about it. Such a mysterious, adventurous, heartbreaking, intriguing, informative read!

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. This book is chock-full of adventure! I love the combination of haunting lyrical text and factual sidebars for a "deeper dive" into historical deep water wrecks. Kids will pore over all the fascinating details and wonder over the mysteries. There's priceless treasure, submerged statues, and even a cat named Mrs. Chippy. And the illustrations!! This book is a feast for the eyes and for the imagination!

[Dano Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lyrical and informative book takes readers on a journey to shipwrecks around the world. It's a fascinating read! I never would have guessed that there are over 3 million undiscovered shipwrecks - or realized that Antarctic waters can preserve sunken ships. The illustrations are wonderful. Highly recommend! 

[Jenna Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is breathtaking! I find the topic of shipwrecks so fascinating, and Laide’s lyrical writing, paired with the non-fiction text, is captivating. Not to mention Aquilera’s stunning artwork, I felt like I was there when looking at the pictures. This is a must read for any kids interested in the past and/or shipwrecks, and for their adults!

[Suzy Levinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweeping lyrical text, fascinating sidebar facts and back matter, and stunning artwork combine in this book to explore shipwrecks (both famous and relatively unknown) around the world, providing an utterly unique sense of our human history from the most captivating of angles! Future marine archaeologists will point to this book as their first inspiration!

[Jessica Stremer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved discovering about so many interesting shipwrecks. The author makes this book even more fun by including fun page turns. There is so much to take in, kids will enjoy reading this book again and again. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. SHIPWRECK is a must-add to any home or school library.

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHIPWRECK is a gorgeous book that shares the stories of famous shipwrecks. Sidebars packed with historical information about the wrecks and fascinating material about recovery methods accompany lovely, lyrical free verse that describes each shipwreck. Aquilera’s illustrations capture the majesty of these ships lost at sea and the beauty of the deep.

[Sabrina Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a breathtaking beautifully illustrated book - it took me on a journey through the oceans, describing all the different ships and vessels we learnt that met their end at the bottom of the ocean/rivers.
This non-fiction is a great window into that history and each scene is wonderfully written, described and illustrated!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good! It's so informative about shipwrecks (what a fascinating topic!) presented in a way perfect for young readers to handle. The illustrations are stunning and exciting. Each page just makes you want to take your time and find all the details. Destined to be a frequently read book in my house!

[Caroline Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for mini adventurers! Laide's lyrical text takes the reader on a journey beneath the waves, discovering shipwrecks and examining ways in which these long-lost vessels were rediscovered. Velez's illustrations are stunning, saturated and highly detailed. A great nonfiction addition to any home, school or classroom collection!

[Chloe Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lyrical ode to various shipwrecks throughout history, this picture book is filled with interesting information and gorgeous illustrations. My son loved reading the sidebars on each spread, and honestly, I did too. We both learned a lot of new facts about the ships, their treasure, artifacts, and the new habitats they create, hidden in the wreckage. Five stars!

[Jo Renfro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids and adults (like me) will love this beautiful, imformative, historically interesting book! I had no idea there were so many lost ships throughout history. This book combines poetry, history and fascinating facts about shipwrecks. My grandkids will love this!

[Stephanie Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations! What a wonderful book about famous shipwrecks told in beautiful lyrical text. I highly recommend this for budding explorers, divers, treasure hunters, and all lovers of the sea!

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this beautiful book! The lyrical language and lush artwork pulled me in right away, and I was captivated throughout by the descriptions of various shipwrecks over time. I'm going to gift this book to some kids who I know will find it just as intriguing as I did!

[Claire Bobrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating facts and spectacular illustrations combine for a gripping tale of shipwrecks around the globe. These stories of disaster and discovery will keep kids engaged and surely inspire budding explorers and scientists. An excellent choice for nonfiction lovers.

[Jenna Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visually stunning nonfiction book that invites readers to explore famous and infamous shipwreks. The lyrical language keeps the story light and accessible, with sidebars of factual information. This is a treasure of a book that begs to be read again and again.

[Stacey Byer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Shipwrecks are waiting for curious
explorers to discover their resting remains.”
SHIPWRECK is a beautifully illustrated, enchanting nonfiction book that everyone will want to explore! It’s filled with fascinating facts and historical information about shipwrecks around the world.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated roundup of shipwrecks throughout history. From famous wrecks like the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Titanic to lesser-known but fascinating ones, this book will expand the horizons of any young pirate-loving reader!