By Donna and Doreen Rathmell
Illustrated by Connie McLennan
Sylvan Dell Publishing
www.SylvanDellPublishing.com
976 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Suite 3
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
877-958-2600 (toll free)
"Octavia Octopus lived alone in a small, secret cave in a colorful coral reef. She had many friends, so she was never lonely. She and her friends played a game called 'how to hide from a hungry creature.'"
Thus begins the adventures of Octavia Octopus, who can't seem to produce a purple ink cloud which could ultimately save her life from predators. Through the story, the reader learns the unusual defense mechanisms of various ocean-dwellers, from the flounder's ability to change colors and hide on the ocean floor to the seahorse's ability to hold onto a swaying plant as if he were a part of the plant itself.
Ultimately, Octavia does get to use her purple ink to protect herself from a nearby shark, and the story ends happily. But it is one of those stories that teaches children in spite of themselves. I always like it when I can find a child enjoying a book and taking in information at the same time.
The illustrations in Octavia and Her Purple Ink Cloud are really quite beautiful. They remind me of colorful ocean prints one might find for sale in an aquarium store. And as an added benefit for the homeschooler, the book includes a "For Creative Minds" section at the end of the story, which provides extra information about sea animal camouflage, octopus facts, and a craft project as well.
While not an essential book for a home library, this book would be a nice addition to a unit study or a gift for a budding marine biologist. A confident second-grade reader could handle the text without a problem, and younger ones would enjoy the story if read aloud.
Product review by Kendra Fletcher, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, September 2007
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