An extensive natural history of the marvelous mollusk, featuring stunning photography, underwater research, and personal narratives.

The visually arresting and often misunderstood octopus has long captured popular imagination. With an alien appearance and an uncanny intellect, this exceptional sea creature has inspired fear in famous lore and legends—from the giant octopus attack in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Ursula the sea witch in The Little Mermaid. Yet its true nature is more wondrous still. After decades of research, the authors reveal a sensitive, curious, and playful animal with remarkable intelligence, an ability to defend itself with camouflage and jet propulsion, an intricate nervous system, and advanced problem-solving abilities.

In this beautifully photographed book, three leading marine biologists bring readers face to face with these amazingly complex animals that have fascinated scientists for decades. From the molluscan ancestry of today’s octopus to its ingenious anatomy, amazing mating and predatory behaviors, and other-worldly relatives, the authors take readers through the astounding life cycle, uncovering the details of distinctive octopus personalities. With personal narratives, underwater research, stunning closeup photography, and thoughtful guidance for keeping octopuses in captivity, Octopus is the first comprehensive natural history of this smart denizen of the sea.

Today’s Book of The Day is sponsored by this week’s Kids’ eBook of The Week:

Avid sixth-grade trail biker, Lorna Wilson, moves to Arizona with her mom and baby brother leaving her dad behind.

Unpacking, Lorna knows she needs to find a way to fit in. When the girl next door knocks on Lorna’s front door, she opens up to an idea to solve her problem.

Splashing in the pool at Ally’s house, Lorna learns about the bike challenge created by a scar-faced neighborhood legend, Samuel Black. Then, she hears herself boasting that she can take on Samuel Black in his own race and win.

Lorna’s words quickly come back to bite her. Although none of the kids will root for the new girl, an ancient cairn opens to Lorna showing her the Land of Twilight, a time between times, a land not in real time.

What she thinks she wants forks and changes as her friendships grow deeper. This story offers a ladder to emotional growth for a kid endangered by divorce.

Get all three of the action-adventure fantasies in Twilight for intermediate and middle school grades. Illustrations are by award-winning artist, Brianna Osaseri. Themes: Time travel ages 9-12; action-adventure; Female protagonist; diversity; Book one in a series. Synopsis: Riding over a manhole at sunset, new kid Lorna Wilson surfaces in Twilight, where she is given three impossible tasks to complete.