The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson Elizabeth Bush Guiberson, Brenda Z. The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea; illus. by Gennady Spirin. Holt, 2015 32p ISBN 978-0-8050-9961-4 $17.99 R Gr. 3-5 Kids looking for the weird, the gross, and the generally gasp-worthy might begin by looking underwater. A dozen marine creatures make their claims at greatness in this accessible exploration of marine life. Covered with slime and able to tie itself in a knot: “I am a Hagfish.” A literal headlight to lure prey and enormous jaws to accommodate dinner twice its size: “I am an Anglerfish.” No brain, blood, or lungs, but plenty of deadly venom: “I am a Box Jellyfish.” Tongue “as heavy as an elephant” and a heart “the size of a car”: “I am a Blue Whale.” Before readers pick their favorite (undoubtedly based on its ewww factor), Guiberson tosses in a gamechanger: “We are Helpers,” describes the unsung heroes such as wrasse that clean the larger fish, oysters that filter the water, coral that shelter the shrimp, and sea urchins that control the algae. In colors reminiscent of the Dutch masters, Spirin’s paintings capture the murky mystery of the deep sea while supplying the necessary illumination (as if, perhaps, from diver’s flashlight or a bathyscaphe’s beam) to spotlight each meticulously detailed creature. Whether as a spark for casual browsing, further research, or contentious debate, this quick read will win fans. Copyright © 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois