*Informational* *CCSS Exemplar Text* This book is about the many different kinds of starfish and some of the characteristics specific to each one. The illustrations in this book are quite impressive. I also thought it was interesting to learn how slowly starfish move (the speed of a snail). I enjoyed learning about their eating habits as well. I believe the main point of this book was to educate young students about starfish in an interesting and informative way.

My reaction to this book was that is was informative in a simple way for younger children. Startfish are complicated creatures and this book did a nice job of breaking down the scientific information into a language that is more understanding. Hurd's simplified description of all the things about starfish: rays (arms), no legs, mouth is on the underside, eats mussels, they can regrow their rays, and that they are not fish but sea urchins. Also I thought the book use of illustrations help to reiterate the writing. Overall the outline of the book is easy understanding of how this mysterious underwater creature survives.

The purpose of this book is to inform young children about starfish and how they survive, reproduce, and live in the ocean. I think that the use of simplistic text and images help to educate young children about starfish.

For very early readers, this meditation on starfish would serve as a good supplement to a lesson on starfish but on it's own might leave students wanting more. Paper collage illustrations are at times beautiful but do not always succeed in supporting the text. ( )