Giant Squid

Author: Candace Fleming
llustrator: Eric Rohmann
Roaring Book Press (2016) 
Ages 6-10

The book to be evaluated is Giant Squid written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann. This is a book of information written for children, approximately ages six and older. Giant Squid is an effective nonfiction children's book because the sources are well documented, the illustration is mysterious and entertaining, the design positively contributes to the overall effect of the book, and it is educational but still intriguing. 

To summarize Giant Squid, the book begins by introducing the ocean and hinting at a creature deep down in the sea before introducing the subject of the book, which is the giant squid. First, the tentacles are explained, as well as how they seize their prey and push the prey into the squid's beak. Second, the book explains how the squid swallows and digests its prey with its mouth and tongue. Third, the eyes are described as it sees a creature in the water. Fourth, the book details how the squid can change colors, and it describes the squid eggs that hatch. Fifth, there is danger in the water and the squid must ink to get away. 


An element that contributes to the overall effectiveness of Giant Squid is the lengthy and detailed citation of sources. The bibliography contains each of the sources used to create the book and are properly cited. There is also an important acknowledgement of a marine biologist, deep sea explorer and bioluminescence expert who fact-checked the book. This adds an even further aspect of credibility to Giant Squid. 


Another element that contributes to the overall effectiveness of the book is the illustration. The illustrations are dark and create a mysterious mood that is replicated in the text. The dark and mysterious illustrations are extremely detailed and used to emphasize the mechanisms of the squid that are mentioned in the text, which not only adds interest to the story but also allows a young reader to use the illustrations as context for reading the book. 


One aspect of the book that positively contributes to the overall effectiveness is the unique design of the text and illustration. The illustrations are all very dark, and the text is bright white. The text is placed in columns of varying row length and indentation to utilize the dark open space around the illustrations. There are some single lines on pages to create a dramatic effect. The design of the book draws the reader in and increases the mystery and anticipation within the book, convincing the audience to read on. 


Giant Squid is not only nonfiction and educational, but it is also suspenseful and intriguing. The combination of the ominous, even frightening, text with the dark, swirling, and mysterious illustration turns the factual information into a suspenseful and entertaining story for children. There is also a great educational illustration at the back of the book which explains the parts of the whale and their functions, such as fins, mantle and eyes. There is also a section at the end of the book that indicates various websites that could be visited to learn more about the giant squid, which would allow inquisitive teachers and students to take their learning and knowledge beyond the information the book provides.

Overall, Giant Squid is an entertaining, educational, well organized, and uniquely illustrated, written and designed. These elements combine flawlessly together to create a nonfiction children's book that is matchless to any other I have read. This book would be a terrific addition to an elementary classroom to add intrigue and interest to a science lesson or activity, as well as provide a unique book for students to explore and read on their own.   

I would recommend this book because it is unique, suspenseful, and intriguing while still providing educational value to the reading. 

Review by Lauren Alexander