Whale Fall: Exploring An Ocean-Floor Ecosystem, written by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Rob Dunlavey. Random House Studio, 2023. $25.99 ages 5 and up

"Even after the whale's bones are picked 
clean, the feast doesn't end. Clusters of 
zombie worms blanket the bones. As their 
frilly plumes wave through the water, their 
roots ooze acids that break down the bones.
Then tiny Oceanospirillales bacteria living 
inside the worms' roots absorb fats and 
proteins that they - and the worms- need 
to survive."

Have you ever wondered what happens when a whale dies in the ocean? I have never. Imagine the surprise to learn that the whale's body sinks to the ocean floor, then proves integral to the sustenance of the ecosystem for the next 50 YEARS! How can that be? 

That whale may be seventy years old when it dies; it continues to be useful for another fifty years. Remarkable! That is the word needed to describe the extensive research Melissa Stewart does to bring such stories to her readers. First of all, the journey to see what happens takes them 5,000 feet down. There, a careful watch exposes the many scavengers that find sustenance for many years to come. 

Hagfish, with their uncanny sense of smell are first to feast, followed by sleeper sharks who take a little longer to travel through the cold waters. They like the skin and blubber. As time passes, other scavengers make their way to the whale's carcass. Numerous creatures follow, all finding something of value in their quest for needed food and nutrients. Some become fodder for others. 

Zombie worms are followed by squat lobsters who prefer the worms for their dining experience. So it goes ... year after year until: 

"Eventually, every last trace of the mighty whale is gone. 
But for fifty years, the whale fall was a thriving oasis that 
offered hundreds of species - millions of creatures - a much- 
needed source of food ... "

Back matter includes further information about whale falls and the species mentioned. Lists for selected sources and further exploration are also appended. 

Thanks to Melissa Stewart's direct text and Rob Dunlavey's underwater, light-infused scenes, readers experience a close look at an uncommon research topic. A very interesting read aloud.