Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish

Poetic verse and vibrant collages characterize this tribute to starfish. Halfmann treats her heroine as an almost epic figure as the sea star ventures in search of food. "Like a circus acrobat, she folds over two of her rays and grips the rocky shore with her sticky feet." The starfish gorges herself on mussels before falling victim to a seagull's attack; thanks to her regenerative abilities, though, she'll live to hunt another day. In rich colors and textures, Paley's tide pool hums with life, while an afterword provides more scientific information about this echinoderm. Ages 5-9. (May)

K-Gr 2--This colorful overview explains how the species is tied to tidal rhythms and serves both as predator and potential prey. After an unsuccessful attempt to feed on a limpet, the sea star settles atop a mussel and begins the slow process of wearing out its strength. After prying open the shell just a crack, she extends her stomach into it and ingests the mussel's body. Having escaped a fish's earlier attempt to eat her, the sea star is not so lucky when a gull snatches her by one ray and flies off. The gull bites through the ray, and the sea star falls back to the shore with only four rays. She reaches safety under some seaweed and will hide until the next high tide when the search for food begins again. Beautifully illustrated with textured collages made from hand-painted papers of watercolor blends, the underwater environment is vividly brought to life on every page. Two pages of concluding facts offer more about the sea star, including its ability to regenerate lost rays and other body parts. A short list of recommended reading and a four-entry glossary are also appended. A first purchase.--Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA