Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid

For centuries, sailors have handed down stories of the giant squid. They say this mysterious monster of the deep chases ships and battles whales. They say it can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and its eyes can be as big as a human head! Are these stories fact or fantasy? 

Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid begins by telling stories about the dangers of the giant squid. According to many sailors, the squid could attack a ship and pull it under the sea. However, it turns out that none of the sailors’ stories are true, highlighting their lack of knowledge about the squid. Even today, scientists do not know much about the giant squid because “it only comes to the surface when it is dead or dying.” Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid story reveals what scientists do know to be true about the squid and includes several pictures of giant squid that washed to shore after their death.  

Since giant squid lives deep in the ocean, scientists have not yet uncovered every secret about this sea creature. However, the book includes information we currently about the large squid, the parts of its body, and its eating habits. All of this information is known from when “scientists study these dead giants.” The giant squid caused fear in many sailors, but learning more about the squid allows readers to see that giant squids are not monsters to be feared.  

Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid is part of the Step into Reading Level Three Series, which targets readers in first grade through third grade. With three short chapters, Step Three books are both longer and slightly more difficult than Step Two books. Each page has three to seven sentences and a large illustration as well as several photographs. This level includes some more challenging vocabulary and concepts, though the meaning is made clear through context and illustrations.  

Readers who are curious about the creatures that live in the ocean will enjoy learning more about the giant squid. Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid uses a blend of made-up stories and facts to show that the giant squid is not a man-eating monster, but rather a mysterious creature that stays hidden deep in the ocean. The book leaves the reader with this thought: “Maybe someone like you will grow up and unlock the secrets of the giant squid.” 

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• Sailors used to tell stories of the giant squid “chasing sailing ships. They said it could stretch its arms around a ship. Then it could pull the ship down into the sea.” 
• In the 1930’s, a magazine reported “that a giant squid attacked an oil freighter.”  
• Another story tells of a squid that “tried to wrap its arms around a freighter . . . The squid slid off. It was killed by the ship’s propellers.”  
• Sailors said that “a giant squid pulled a man overboard. He was never seen again.”  
• The giant squid eats fish by holding “the fish with its arms. . . The teeth sink into the fish.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None 

Spiritual Content  

• None