Sid and the Very Hard to Find Squid

Sid and the Very Hard to Find Squid by James O'Hanlon (CSIRO Publishing)  ISBN   9781486319664 RRP $26.99 (HB)

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

What is longer than a great white shark, as heavy as a horse, has eyes as big as basketballs but has never been seen alive? It’s the rare and elusive Colossal Squid, and Sid is setting out on a quest to be the first person to spot one.

Sid loves animals of all kinds. He has a list of the ones that are really hard to find, and on the top of his list is the world’s largest invertebrate. Sid knows that to find the Colossal Squid he will need to take a deep dive into the ocean. On his adventure, Sid sees many amazing sea creatures, and he learns that quests are not only about searching for something, but also about the wonderful discoveries that you make along the way.

This book has double value for young readers. It is both a beautifully illustrated picture book with the narrative told in rhyme, as well as a book full of interesting facts about a rare species of squid and about deep-sea exploration. It has been cleverly constructed to ensure that the information does not impose on or disrupt the narrative. The story of Sid’s quest will undoubtedly arouse readers’ curiosity about the Colossal Squid and other deep-sea creatures. So, when they finish reading the story, they can turn the page to read more detailed facts about this fascinating creature and its habitat. There is also a glossary of technical, scientific words used in the book.

Suitable for readers aged 5-9 years, this would be a fantastic resource for classrooms and school libraries. Educators will be pleased to know that teachers’ notes for this book can be found on the CSIRO website.