Squid Squad: Nothing to Sea Here

Squid Squad: Nothing to Sea Here by Aoife Dooley (Scholastic) RRP: $18.99 ISBN 9781761721069

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Meet the Squid Squad: there's Ollie, a vampire squid, Zing a sea bunny, Barney, their pet anemone, and their other friends who each have a cool ability and make up the cool, heroic squid squad. Well, sort of heroic -- maybe more friendly and hilarious.

This is a graphic novel with fantastically funny, bright illustrations that will draw children in and keep them giggling. The story introduces our Squid Squad, and we learn some interesting and fun facts about sea creatures. I love when a story weaves in learning in an entertaining way. For instance, did you know that vampire squids are a real kind of squid (but maybe not like the vampires that you read about in other stories)? Or that sea slugs release toxins? Or that sea anemones live a very long time? You'll have to read the book to find out how long and learn more amazing sea facts!

The book combines four stories in one and it's not a conventional superhero adventure story. This isn't about fighting huge mega sea monsters and rescuing mermaids in distress. There are some main antagonists - a sea slug, a sea snail, a shark and a flounder. The stories are comic ones about hairdo competitions, parties, burping issues and magical toilets. The sea friends quarrel but find creative answers to their problems, which often involves riding a mysterious snaky unicorn. It's crazy fun.

The sea world Dooley has created involves lots of creative sea references - there is no need to ponder too deeply the exact science of it all but just to have fun with it. A cinema or 'seanema', a bakery, a diner full of delicious sea snacks where the squad can hang out, shell phones. The book is about good friends working together and having adventures and it's a delight in such an imaginative setting. Why in the crusty barnacle would you want to hang out anywhere else?