Tentacles!

Tentacles!: Tales of the Giant Squid (Step into Reading)

By Shirley Raye Redmond

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers (2003)

Reading Level: Ages 4-8 years

Pages: 48

Genre: Nonfiction

Summary: Sailors used to tell stories of giant squids attacking ships. Then in the 1930's a squid supposedly attacked an oil ship but was killed by the propellers, and during WW2 some sailors said a man disappeared when he was pulled out of the boat by a giant squid. in The 60's a light house person watched a wale and a quid fight. There are giant squids, but scientists know much because the only come to the surface of the ocean to die. and they could bite a wooden oar in half and they have suction cups on their tentacles. Imprints are sometimes found in whales. Giant squids are super long and have eyes bigger than the human head. Scientists are trying to find a live squid by using under water cameras and by following sperm whales also by using submarines.

My reaction; Deep sea talk usually give me the heebee-jeebies, but over all I thought the book was good and covered a lot of information simply and well.

Potential problems: The stories about the giant squid are kind of scary.

Recommendations: I would recommend this to early elementary students interested in the ocean.