Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
Buy new:
-17% $14.97
FREE delivery Thursday, January 9 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$14.97 with 17 percent savings
List Price: $17.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, January 9 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Monday, January 6. Order within 22 hrs 19 mins.
Only 7 left in stock - order soon.
$$14.97 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.97
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$9.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Nice clean copy with no highlighting or writing. We take pride in our accurate descriptions. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Nice clean copy with no highlighting or writing. We take pride in our accurate descriptions. Satisfaction Guaranteed. See less
FREE delivery Thursday, January 9 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Monday, January 6. Order within 8 hrs 19 mins.
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$14.97 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.97
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Octopuses!: Strange and Wonderful Hardcover – Picture Book, April 7, 2015

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$14.97","priceAmount":14.97,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"97","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"cgMkmYhZQTifhKCftxzzE4kEK0iISgwqq30NnkWjzxjZdJToAqFCThsjxfia20drioUeI9ySTHmSgvAEww%2B1%2Bcx%2BMt6ESXOBBBPX81IOdDZJZL0agA9sqNbNm1RGZ3tjWjNXVmHc2d70664k0weV%2FA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.99","priceAmount":9.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"cgMkmYhZQTifhKCftxzzE4kEK0iISgwq71fXqIWX7gBwp48a0KEu0LvxFGhLH%2FyCVX5cn7aZ9nVGn3f4ynBWo3pYZFEDUmXHSxN0POdrT7rgM46KVaJQRNz%2FUFKI6XYXFI%2FKjq9lvKF3mRUeYOjZLWcWKEYYkzA%2Fy1bY8sI9wjiBrAkllkSRpXRz235FIgG9","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Did you know that octopuses can eject ink in the shape of a ghostly octopus or detach a wiggling arm while jetting away to safety? Or that their skin can change color for camouflage? Octopuses are the subject of this latest installment of the successful Strange and Wonderful series. Covering the entire life cycle of these mysterious ocean dwellers and their anatomical details and behavioral quirks, Laurence Pringle's investigation of octopuses is both a comprehensive and accessible introduction and resource.
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

From the Publisher

Cicadas! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Dolphins! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Elephants! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Frogs! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Octopuses! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Owls! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press
Cicadas! Strange and Wonderful Dolphins! Strange and Wonderful Elephants! Strange and Wonderful Frogs! Strange and Wonderful Octopuses! Strange and Wonderful Owls! Strange and Wonderful
Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
63
4.6 out of 5 stars
4
5.0 out of 5 stars
3
5.0 out of 5 stars
8
4.7 out of 5 stars
33
4.4 out of 5 stars
15
Price $14.27 $15.30 $16.30 $13.10 $14.97 $14.66
Author Laurence Pringle
Scorpions! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Spiders! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Bats! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Crows! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Penguins! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Sharks! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press
Scorpions! Strange and Wonderful Spiders! Strange and Wonderful Bats! Strange and Wonderful Crows! Strange and Wonderful Penguins! Strange and Wonderful Sharks! Strange and Wonderful
Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
43
4.8 out of 5 stars
63
4.7 out of 5 stars
33
4.6 out of 5 stars
97
5.0 out of 5 stars
5
3.7 out of 5 stars
4
Price $12.41 $17.95 $9.99 $9.99 $9.35 $9.95
Author Laurence Pringle
 Snakes! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press Whales! Strange and Wonderful - Boyds Mills Press
Snakes! Strange and Wonderful Whales! Strange and Wonderful
Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
15
4.3 out of 5 stars
3
Price $9.95 $8.55
Author Laurence Pringle

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2–5—Pringle adds another volume to the many books on octopuses published over the last few years. This title differs from the others in that it features illustrations rather than photographs and presents material in a straight read rather than compartmentalized sections. Pringle compresses a surprising amount of factual material into this informational picture book. His writing style flows well, with details smoothly woven into a cohesive read. Pringle discusses this intelligent invertebrate's body parts, explaining how this amazing creature can change shape and color, as well as skin texture. He also identifies predators, introduces different species of octopus, and sheds light on how these animals catch their food. Henderson's charming watercolor artwork effectively reinforces the material within the text. Readers are invited them to locate six octopuses hidden within a spread; an answer key has been appended. Those seeking volumes with more structured organization and photographs should consult Kevin Pearce's Being an Octopus (Gareth Stevens, 2014), Colleen Kessler's Octopuses (Abdo, 2014), or Anna Claybourne's Octopuses (Raintree, 2013). Aimed at younger audiences, Cari Meister's Octopuses (Bullfrog, 2013) also contains photos but is briefer in scope. In contrast, Melissa Gish's Octopuses (Creative Education, 2013) is for older students. A worthy introduction.—Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH

Review

Pringle compresses a surprising amount of factual material into this informational picture book. His writing style flows well, with details smoothly woven into a cohesive read. . . . Henderson's charming watercolor artwork effectively reinforces the material within the text. . . . A worthy introduction.' —School Library Journal

A veteran science writer introduces the most intelligent invertebrate of all, the octopus, master of camouflage. . . . The author covers the basics of size and shape, habitat, feeding, relations with humans, survival mechanisms and reproduction in a smooth narrative that flows from page to page, carrying readers along. Like most titles in the Strange and Wonderful series, this inviting introduction is graced with Henderson's detailed and accurate watercolor illustrations. . . . A glossary, index and suggestions for further reading and Web research conclude this stellar example of nonfiction for middle-grade readers. Pringle inks another winner in a long series of engaging, informative invitations to explore the natural world.' —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Astra Young Readers; Illustrated edition (April 7, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1590789288
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1590789285
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 930L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.31 x 0.36 x 10.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Laurence Pringle
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

At www.laurencepringle.com, you can discover "the story behind the book" of many titles, read his blog, and also learn about school author visits. And there is this:

Laurence Pringle is one of the nation's most honored nonfiction authors for children. He apologizes for this; he didn't aim to write any books at all! And here are some of the roots of his career. He was raised in an isolated rural area south of Rochester, NY. He and his brother were not close. There were no potential kid friends nearby. A lonely, curious boy, he found comfort and escape in reading books and especially in nature--a sanctuary, a place of safety, mystery, wonder, delight. That effect continues to this day.

Larry's formal education began in School 14--a one room school with 18-20 students, grades 1-8, with one teacher. Larry and his brother walked about two miles, one-way, to that school in all seasons. Much later, he wrote a 32-page memoir of that school experience: ONE ROOM SCHOOL (1998). The BOOKLIST reviewer wrote "Warm, specific memories fill the book and give children a sense of both history and place." The school closed and students rode a bus to Honeoye Falls Central School. Larry became passionate about identifying birds, and built bird houses for wrens and bluebirds. However, Larry's love of nature grew deeper--to questions far beyond mere identification.

An experience with birds led to his first published work. Larry wrote a few paragraphs about some crow behavior he had witnessed. It was published in OPEN ROAD MAGAZINE. He was paid five whole dollars and was a published author at age 17! However, this was not a breakthrough event, a foreshadowing of a future career, partly because of the reality of life in his family. Neither of his parents had graduated from high school, so that was their aim for their children. The word "college" was never mentioned. Larry had no expectations of that in his life. After high school graduation he took a job and expected to spend some time in military service, then get a job in a Rochester factory or business. However, two key people asked "Why aren't you going to college?" And one loaned some college catalogs. About 15 months after his high school graduation, Larry became a freshman at Cornell University. (And in a Cornell ornithology class he learned that his interpretation of crow behavior, his first publication, was dead wrong!)

He earned college degrees in wildlife conservation at Cornell University and the University of Massachusetts. He even began work on a Ph. D.in that field. But a love of reading, word play, and other factors led him to write magazine articles and to become an editor at a children's science magazine. Called NATURE AND SCIENCE, it was published at the American Museum of Natural History. He says "If I hadn't found that particular job I might never have written for children and young adults." The magazine aimed to give accurate and fascinating information to young readers. Larry learned an important lesson there. Every article in the magazine was fact-checked by scientists on the museum staff--and they sometimes found errors or omissions that led to changes. Writers thought they had done a good research job but learned it was not good enough. From then on, when working on a book Larry always sought input from experts.

When Larry started work at the magazine he never dreamed of writing a book. His confidence as a writer grew, and his editor-boss, Roy Gallant (author of many books), encouraged Larry to try and write one. His first subject was dinosaurs. The writing process was hard work, plus he had a full- time job and young children. The challenge was finding time to write, after the kids were put to bed, and sometimes on weekends. The completed manuscript was rejected by several publishers, then accepted and published (DINOSAURS AND THEIR WORLD, 1968). For a few months Larry felt that writing it was such an ordeal that he would never go through that again! He changed his mind, and by the fall of 2022 had published 123 books. His titles have been translated into six other languages, and have earned countless starred reviews. In 2006 the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation awarded him a Fellowship. This led to his 109th book, BILLIONS OF YEARS, AMAZING CHANGES: THE STORY OF EVOLUTION.

Larry has written a few fiction picture books for young children (including OCTOPUS HUG, BEAR HUG, and NAMING THE CAT). All the rest are nonfiction. Many are written for the middle elementary grades, others were aimed at older students. And many adults know that YA books (young adult) are fine for adult consumption. One title in particular, AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE: THE STORY OF A MONARCH BUTTERFLY, is highly praised by both children and adults. It is narrative nonfiction, about the life of one female monarch, and some readers, young and old, confess that they cried at the end--a rare happening with a nonfiction book.

Some of his recent titles are also narrative nonfiction, though aimed at younger readers. One book close to his heart is THE SECRET LIFE OF THE RED FOX (partly because his neighbors include red foxes). It, too, ends in a way that can stir feelings, but not tears. In a starred review, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL said "A rich reading experience awaits those who pick up this title." The "secret life" series, illustrated by the artist Kate Garchinsky, earns high praise from reviewers. The subjects include a skunk family, a little brown bat, a mother sloth and her son, and a sea otter mother and hers. This 2022 title, THE SECRET LIFE OF THE SEA OTTER, earned a starred review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL. The review ends: "This is a juvenile nonfiction treasure, highly recommended to all libraries who serve children."

For Larry, writing is still hard work. When he has a chance to write a book, his feeling is not "Oh, boy, a chance to write," but "Oh boy, a chance to learn about something I want to know more about." Also, it is a chance to express his voice--his feelings and values. In a sense, he feels he is a teacher. Not, he hopes, a teacher who drones on and on, and aims to jam only names, dates, and other facts into students' heads, but a teacher whose passion for ideas and excitement about knowledge is communicated to students.

Laurence likes visiting schools to give programs about the writing process. For more information, see his web site: www.laurencepringle.com. And by clicking on book titles, you can reach "the story behind the book"--a feature can intrigues both readers and writers. The web site also features a BLOG.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
33 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2024
    This was part of a gift for a 9 year old who is currently very enamored of octopuses. It provided some interesting and novel characteristics about this unique and intriguing creature.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2020
    Great book to teach main idea with science
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2018
    Beautifully illustrated and very informative. My 7 year old son loves looking through this book and so do I.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2015
    Summary: Did you know that some scientists think octopuses may be as smart as dogs? Or that if it’s an octopus’s beak can fit through an opening, the rest of its body can, too? These are just a couple of the amazing facts about this unique animal you’ll learn in Laurence Pringles latest entry in his Strange and Wonderful series. Many aspects of the octopus’s brief life (usually less than a year) are covered here, including eating, protection, different types, intelligence, and reproduction.

    Pros: Students could write a very complete report using this book. The information is engagingly presented, illuminated by beautiful detailed illustrations on every page.

    Cons: Although the cover looks like a primary-grade picture book, this is probably more appropriate for upper elementary and possibly even middle school students.
    One person found this helpful
    Report