Giant Cuttlefish: Chameleon of the Sea

Follow the fascinating chameleon of the sea—a dazzling, hypnotic mystery that changes its appearance many times in order to survive and thrive.

Peering into the face of a giant cuttlefish is like gazing at a creature from another planet. Eight arms grow out of its head, two suckered feeding tentacles shoot out from pouches below its eyes, and a fearsome beak hooks its prey. In a blink, the giant cuttlefish changes the color and texture of its skin. Blending into its surroundings, the camouflaged fish evades predators, tricks prey, and throws rivals off-balance. With its otherworldly features, superior eyesight, and an ability to learn complex behavior, this remarkable cephalopod has survived for 500 million years. Elaine M. Alexander and illustrator Mike Orodán give readers a clear and close-up look at the smartest and largest of all mollusks, the rock star of the ocean, the chameleon of the sea: the giant cuttlefish. Back matter includes brief explorations into its life cycle, adaptations, hunting behavior, mating, and threats to survival, as well as a glossary and bibliography.Our hero looms large in Orodán’s dramatic, boldly colored digital illustrations, stretching across most pages. This cephalopod is hardly cuddly, but Alexander makes the most of its impressive intelligence and natural abilities to win us over.
—Kirkus Reviews

Whether poring over it alone or sharing it, readers of all ages will be delighted by this book, easily as mesmerizing as its subject.
—BooklistElaine M. Alexander worked as a pizza cook, receptionist, bill collector, and freelance journalist before becoming a librarian. She is the author of Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep, her first nonfiction picture book, illustrated by Fiona Fogg. In its review of Anglerfish, Booklist said, “Alexander probes the depths of the ocean in this fantastically illustrated study,” while Kirkus Reviews called it “a fun and creepy fish tale brimming with scientific appeal.” A fan of dark mysteries and the natural world, Elaine M. Alexander is fascinated by all things extraordinary and unique. Currently a youth services librarian at the Deep River Public Library, she lives with her family in Colchester, Connecticut.

Mike Orodán spent much of his childhood exploring the forest and countryside of Hungary, where he lived with his mother, then documenting his discoveries and adventures in makeshift notebooks. “Let’s just say I was inspired by Sir David Attenborough and Mary Blair equally,” he says. “Then, in 2013, I become a father to twin boys, and a new chapter began: I entered the world of children’s books and never looked back.” Mike Orodán lives in England with his family.