Octopus Book Makes a Splash

Trips to the beach are likely right around the corner, and what better way to get in the mood than to learn about some ocean creatures?

Could an Octopus Climb a Skyscraper?: …and other questions – Hilarious scenes bring octopus facts to life! (What if a) by Camilla de la Bedoyere and illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff is a lively picture book that compares what an octopus can do with some common human activities, allowing children to easily relate to the information.

This factual book dances on the edge of fiction with cartoon illustrations of funny situations. An octopus that can turn yellow and look like a banana? An octopus that washes a car? Hysterical! At its nonfiction core, however, the child will also learn many current facts about octopuses, such as they have three hearts and blue blood. The facts are repeated to reinforce learning in a “fact file” in the back.

Also in the back is a large map that shows where octopuses live. For some reason, the map fails to indicate any octopuses are found around Australia, which is home of the potentially deadly blue-ringed octopus (I know this because I’ve watched far too many nature documentaries).

Looking for a book to entice a reluctant reader? Could an Octopus Climb a Skyscraper? is an absolutely perfect choice because it has all the elements needed to capture and hold a child’s attention. It would also be a wonderful choice for budding marine scientists, to accompany a trip to an aquarium, or of course, to accompany a trip to the beach,

Suggested related activity:

The last page of the book features a post card from an octopus. To encourage your readers to write, have them make their own pretend postcards or give them real post cards to fill out and send to friends.

pretend-postcard

Also, check for informational videos about octopuses like these:

Amazing:

More informational:

Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
Series: What if a
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: QEB Publishing (April 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609927338
ISBN-13: 978-1609927332

Disclosure: The book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

nonfictionmonday

Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.

 

Informational Books about Oceans for Kids

When a child sees the ocean for the first time, he or she is likely to be very curious about it. One way to satisfy that curiosity is to pull out some great informational books and read.

Beginning readers might be ready to explore Oceans and Seas (Acorn: Water, Water Everywhere!) by Diyan Leake, available soon.

oceans-and-seas

In Oceans and Seas, the reader will find out what an ocean is, what lives in the ocean, and how waves form, all of which are introduced with short sentences and carefully controlled vocabulary. Needless to say, it is illustrated with beautiful color photographs and includes a map with the five oceans labelled. The best part is on the last page, where parents and teachers can find suggestions for appropriate hands-on activities to do before and after reading the book. You definitely want to read that page first.

Reading Level: Grades PreK-1
Publisher: Raintree (October 9, 2014)
ISBN-10: 140628386X
ISBN-13: 978-1406283860

Slightly older children might enjoy Oceans (Habitat Survival) by Claire Llewellyn.

After identifying the world’s oceans as habitats, the text explains the kinds of animals and plants (really algae, which are protists) found there and how the various types of organisms are interrelated in a food web. The book is illustrated with color photographs, with explanations that are set off and highlighted nicely.  The dangers to sea life and how we might protect it are also included.

Oceans would be appropriate for a unit or report on oceans, habitats or marine ecology.

Grade Level: 2 – 4
Publisher: Raintree Perspectives (August 1, 2012)
ISBN-10: 141094607X
ISBN-13: 978-1410946072

This week we are highlighting more ocean science books and activities for kids at Growing with Science blog (posts to be added throughout the week).

Do you have any ocean science books or activities to share? Let us know in the comments and we’ll pin them to our Ocean Science Pinterest board.

ocean-themed-childrens-books

We also have a growing list of ocean and beach science-themed children’s books at our sister blog, Science Books for Kids.

Disclosure: These books were provided by the publisher for review purposes. I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at not extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

nonfictionmonday

Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.