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Giant Pacific Octopus
by Leon Gray
Price at time of review: $23.93
24 pp.
Bearport Publishing Co. Inc.
New York, NY
2013
ISBN: 9781617727306
Grade Level: K-3
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Reviewed by Marilyn Cook
PreK-5 teacher
There are super–sized drinks and super–sized French fries. But imagine an octopus with the 8 tentacles stretched out to about the size of a mini van! With a weight of more than 100 pounds, the giant Pacific octopus is indeed super–sized!
In this book you can learn that the smallest octopus is about the size of a penny, the Octopus wolfi. This and other facts are presented in this book for young children. There are full–page color photos that point out unique features and facts presented in text and also in captions set off in boxes.
The visuals in this book may help the struggling reader and writer access the information. The book includes a glossary with photos, suggested books for further reading, and a web site with links that include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Smithsonian National Zoo, and National Geographic. The information provided in the links adds to the beginning knowledge about these creatures. Also there is a crossword puzzle that you can work on online (or download it). I would have students that are able work the puzzle since the puzzle is superimposed on a photo of this remarkable creature.
There is also a page that has information and photos of several other octopuses. I would use this page for a compare/contrast activity. Although the publisher has labeled this book for grade 2 level reading I would use this book in pre–K and K classes when introducing sea creatures and then put the book in the science center. Interest is labeled K–3 and I think the book could belong in those other classrooms as well. Students may be surprised to learn about an octopus that is a super size!
Review posted on 3/14/2013
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