Big Places. Brave Hearts. What if a glowing book could sweep you away to the deepest place on Earth? Lexile 580L Grades 1-3 Ages 6 - 9 When Charlotte and her loyal pup Henry discover a mysterious glowing book beneath the couch cushion, they are whisked seven miles below the ocean’s surface—to the Mariana Trench. Written at a Grade 2 reading level, this is a true first chapter book designed for early independent readers. There, they encounter bioluminescent creatures, deep-sea mysteries, and real ocean explorers who show Charlotte that bravery isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to keep going anyway. Told in lyrical, accessible prose with short chapters and striking black-and-white illustrations, Adventures of Charlotte and Henry: The Mariana Trench bridges the gap between picture books and traditional chapter books—making it the perfect next step for growing readers. What Your Child Will Discover • The Mariana Trench and deep-sea ocean zones • Fascinating bioluminescent creatures and deep-sea animals • Real ocean explorers like Jacques Cousteau • Why ocean conservation and sea turtle protection matter • What courage, kindness, and resilience look like in action Perfect For • Independent readers in Grades 1–3 • Early chapter book readers ages 6–9 • Classroom STEM and SEL learning • Homeschool science enrichment • Families who love adventure stories like Magic Tree House With embedded ocean facts, discussion questions, and a teacher-friendly STEM + SEL guide, this story works just as beautifully in the classroom as it does at bedtime. Because even the biggest adventures—and the deepest trenches— begin with one brave step. ⭐ "Simple but effective storytelling to spark children's curiosity and appreciation for the wider natural world." — Kirkus Reviews, Verdict: GET IT Charlotte is my niece. Henry is her dog. Both of them are real. I started writing for Charlotte before she was old enough to read — not because I saw a market gap, but because I wanted to give her something that would stay with her forever. What grew out of that became the Adventures of Charlotte & Henry series: real places, real science, real history, and two best friends at the center of it all. The Mariana Trench is the deepest place on Earth. I've been underwater with whale sharks, manta rays, and sharks in the open Pacific — and I wanted to write a book that brought that world to kids who haven't gotten there yet. Every explorer Charlotte meets in this book — Jacques Cousteau, Sylvia Earle — is someone I've been inspired by since I first learned what it means to go somewhere most people never go. I struggled to read as a kid. I never found the right story. I wrote this book for every child who is still looking for theirs. — Andrew Signore, Founder, Brave Hearts Publishing What if a glowing book could take you somewhere no sunlight has ever reached? Charlotte and her dog Henry are about to find out. When a mysterious book appears under their bed, it sends them seven miles underwater — to the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth. Along the way, they'll meet real explorers, rescue a sea turtle, ride a humpback whale, and descend into total darkness in a submersible. The adventure is real. The science is real. And the courage it takes to go somewhere no one has gone before? That's real too. Adventures of Charlotte & Henry — bridge books for ages 6-9. Lexile 580L. 12 short chapters. "Simple but effective storytelling to spark children's curiosity and appreciation for the wider natural world." — Kirkus Reviews, Verdict: GET IT Adventures of Charlotte & Henry: The Mariana Trench is a 12-chapter early reader for ages 6-9 (Lexile 580L) that blends real ocean science, real historical explorers, and a story short enough to finish before bed. Charlotte and her dog Henry travel to the deepest place on Earth — meeting Jacques Cousteau, Sylvia Earle, and the creatures of the deep along the way. Includes: Ocean Facts, glossary, and a STEM & SEL discussion guide. Book 2 — Mount Everest — available now. Lexile 500L. Andrew Signore is the author of the Adventures of Charlotte and Henry series-early chapter books that blend real-world exploration with STEM learning and meaningful lessons in courage, resilience, and kindness. An ICU nurse by day, Andrew has dedicated his professional life to caring for others. His passion for helping people extends into his writing, where he creates stories designed to nurture empathy, curiosity, and brave hearts in young readers. Inspired by a love of adventure, Andrew enjoys mountain biking, kiteboarding, and exploring the outdoors-experiences that shape the spirit of discovery found throughout his books. In his early years, he worked as a camp counselor and water safety instructor, where he developed a deep appreciation for experiential learning and storytelling. The Charlotte and Henry series began as a gift for his niece and her puppy, with the goal of inspiring kindness, bravery, and a sense
