“This is the ledge of sandstone and lime, / layered with shells cemented by time, / that shelters the den that Octopus built.” Marvelous word choice anchors this captivating account of an octopus in its habitat. Octopus gathers food, uses camouflage (“These are the shells she wears like a sheath, / keeping her safe from Tiger Shark’s Teeth”), and evades a predatory seal with a squirt of black ink. Clever, playful, and informative, the full-circle story concludes with one of Octopus’s hatchlings searching for a place to build a home of her own. Additional information about these “Cephalopod Superstars” is provided along with a glossary and author’s note. The handsome undersea illustrations are a winning accompaniment, blending realism with a hint of whimsy.