Review by Booklist Review
Markle follows her Animal Predators series, which was named a 2005 Booklist Top 10 Nonfiction Series for Youth, and her Animal Scavengers books with a new series that focuses on yet another strand of the food chain: Animal Prey. As in Markle's previous series, this title about octopuses, both predator and prey, features eye-popping color photographs of the animals on nearly every spread. Markle's lively prose brings readers right into the underwater world with sensory descriptions and details kids can relate to. The pale twilight glow filtering into an octopus' den is easy to imagine, as is the garbage pile of shells outside the octopus' door. Markle skillfully inserts facts about octopus anatomy, habitat, behavior, reproduction, and species into vivid descriptions of animals on the move, hunting for prey while eluding their own predators. Follow-up questions, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading close this exciting introduction to nature's escape artists. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Octopuses must elude predators while seeking their own prey. Color photos reveal techniques such as blasting ink to distract pursuers or changing shape or color to blend in with the seafloor or reef. Views of octopuses from around the world will intrigue browsers and beginning researchers, who can follow the creatures' life cycle. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
With straightforward writing, Markle presents the octopus as prey and explains its defense mechanisms. Primarily focused on the giant Pacific octopus, she also discusses other species including the blue-ringed, banded string-arm, and glass octopuses. Intriguing close-up photos, such as those showing an octopus mimicking the shapes of a stingray and a venomous sea snake, expand the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
