• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

Which animal is a master of disguise, able to make its skin bumpy or smooth to blend in with the background? An octopus! It's hard to imagine that a spineless creature such as the octopus is actually an intelligent animal. Some, such as the giant Pacific octopus, weigh up to 154 pounds and can stretch up to 23 feet from arm to arm! Young readers will discover through vibrant photos and intriguing text that octopuses, often misunderstood and feared, are actually curious, playful, and gentle sea creatures.

Diane Swanson has been researching and writing nature books for children for over 25 years. Her work has been recognized with many awards, including the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. Her titles have been regularly selected for the “our choice” list by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. A frequent guest speaker at conferences on nature for kids, she lives in Victoria, B.C.

Diane Swanson's profile page