Behold the Octopus!

PreS-Gr 3–Every ocean in the world is home to octopuses—eight-armed creatures with an enormous capacity for survival. Whether they are searching for food on the ocean floor, escaping from enemies, or protecting a brood of eggs, the clever octopus is a memorable and dynamic creature. And as deep and broad as the ocean is, it is likely that even more species of octopus are waiting to be discovered. This visually stunning nonfiction title transports readers beneath the ocean’s surface to the home of the octopus. The illustrations are the primary feature of the book, especially as they dominate each spread and resemble real-life photographs more than might be expected from the colored pencils and pastels that were used to make them. Text does accompany the images, and it appears in two distinct forms: brief, often single-word lines that describe the octopus’s actions, and longer paragraphs in smaller font that provide more detail about the specific octopus in the picture. This design permits classrooms of young readers to enjoy the book at a surface level, while children more intrigued by the octopus can glean greater detail from the more subtly presented text. Limited back matter provides some additional information for readers, but the most noteworthy aspect of this book is its visual appeal.