The Deepest Dig

The Deepest Dig, an entertaining tale based on true story, features a boy named Caden who finds something unusual in his backyard. It is “as long as a fence post, hard as a stone” and pushes through the soil (p. 2). His curiosity is piqued, and he tells his dad and mom that he’s “found a treasure” (p. 4, 8). Caden elicits the help of his neighbour, Martha, and her strong truck to dig up what he’s found – though it’s in pieces. Martha urges him to put it together because “‘It’s only a treasure if it’s put together,’ she says.” (p. 12) What Caden finds is huge and fascinating – made more so by the fact that his story is based on actual events.

The illustrations are vibrant, full of perspective, and engaging. Though simple, they even include a newspaper article (pp. 25-26). Small details in the artwork make this a picture book that can be scrutinized and enjoyed for long periods of time. Snowden-Fine has done a wonderful job of keeping the treasure a secret until the very end, drawing readers in with fine art.

Mark David Smith’s The Deepest Dig is an excellent addition to any library, especially for young (or older) people interested in paleontology. For those who aren’t, it will get them interested in what is going on in their own backyards. Lily Snowden-Fine’s illustrations are warm, inviting, and a perfect accent to this interesting story.