Brief text and watercolor paintings describe how a female giant octopus moves, protects herself, and lays her eggs. The illustrations have a sense of drama; in one picture, the octopus fills the whole page, her long tentacles flying behind her in the blue-green ocean. At one point, a crab attacks and an eel rips off a tentacle with its daggerlike teeth. Each page has just a few sentences in large print, but they provide a basic introduction to the animal and many interesting facts. Although this book is classified as nonfiction, the information is related as a story. With its striking artwork, it will make an enticing read-aloud for children interested in this fascinating sea creature and for primary-grade science lessons. Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.