This book is not so much about octopuses* as it is about how the information about octopuses is gathered. At first, this is a little disappointing because the word “Octopus” is in fact larger on the front cover of the book than the word “Scientist”. Plus, there is a photograph of an octopus filling the front cover space. The big colorful photographs of the underwater creatures entice the reader to explore the small font text set around them in three columns. This is not a book many intermediate grade readers would choose to read, but definitely would choose to look through.

Information about octopuses is scattered throughout the book, as it is revealed by the scientists in their long time intensive search for the information. If nothing else, this book demonstrates the slowness of science research. The research team most be formed. The team in this case is well-rounded:  a psychologist, an environmentalist, a behavioral ecologist, and an underwater photographer, all with scuba skills. They want “to find how octopuses decide what to eat… while avoiding being eaten themselves.” (4) They spend much of their time looking for the right locations. Noting where there are octopuses, as well as where there aren’t octopuses. They want two sites for comparison, and a possible third site. Searching for the sites takes up much of their allotted time in this distant location. “For most of our first week, it’s been two steps forward and one-step back–promise and revelation, then disappointment. True, we’re making progress. But it’s been punctuated with frustration.” (38)

Their first study location contains 3 octopuses. The group goes through their protocol and procedures. They survey the habitat, administer the ‘personality test’, and identify the remains of the prey consumed. They will eventually be doing this at the other two sites, all while working underwater. Being underwater has its own problems. Salt water is corrosive to their gear, sound travels faster through water and your hearing is muffled, objects appear larger under water, you have no sense of smell, and you and your work are being jostled by the sea surge.

• *” The plural of octopus is not octopi… it is incorrect because it mixes up two languages. Octopus is a Greek word… Adding i to the end of a singular noun is a Latin practice.” (11)