I will admit it, I am hooked on Owen Davey and their animal books. In Obsessive About Octopuses, I learned facts that I did not even know I needed to know about octopuses! All sizes, shapes, color, bone, no bone, deadly, mimics and more are covered. The pages are detailed, but not crowded. There is much going on, but it is also accessible for most ages.
Each piece of information is presented to be educational and fun. I have found probably one of my new favorite creatures of the deep: blue-ringed octopus. Tiny but deadly, this animal packs a punch! And it is pretty, too. But not all are pretty (well maybe to another in their grouping) as they have spikes (or look like it) and are buffed up (kinda) or well, they are poisonous.
And I found Curious About Crocodiles. Again, I learned facts I did not even know I needed to know about true crocodiles. Yes, probably the only time we can have a “one true wayism” is with crocodiles. As a “true one” is different from the other species that fall into this category. This is because of the shape of the head, how many teeth you see (of course with its powerful jaws seeing teeth is probably better than not seeing them), and so much more. Did you ever wonder if crocodiles get a bone caught in its stomach? Probably not as their stomachs are so acidic, they can even dissolve the bones.
Both books are just “far out man!” I assumed octopuses were herbivores (nope, they are carnivores) and crocodiles were carnivores (mostly, they will eat berries. Rarely, but they will). Therefore, even if you have some knowledge (who hasn’t watched a nature show now and again? Or watched an octopus predict a soccer match?) you might find something new. The basics are covered, but that is a lot to cover as, with the crocodile book, it is not limited to one animal in the crocodilian family, or just one type of octopus.
Even the mythology of the animal is covered for several pages. Which probably is my favorite part. If I have a favorite part, as I really like the whole package.
The illustrations are as colorful as some of the creatures Davey teaches about. Cleverly done, this is a series I want all of them. Even if it is about an animal that I might not think I want to learn about. Great for the homeschooling classroom or traditional class setting, but also for the child that likes animals and science.
