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Star of the Sea

by Janet Halfmann
32p. 978-0-80509-073-4.
COPY ISBN
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
Simple, elegant text allows readers to follow a female ochre sea star as she comes ashore during high tide, finds and eats mussels, and is herself seized by a gull, escaping with only one ray lost. Accurate information is nicely embedded in the lyrical narration, while rich-hued watercolor collages, appropriate for the evening setting, give both large-scale and close-up views. Reading list. Glos.
Janet Halfmann presents a clear and concise look at the life of an ochre sea star, giving insight into its hunting and feeding habits, its defense mechanisms, and its ability to regrow lost rays. Full of captivating details, such as the unusual way that the sea star devours a mussel from inside the mollusk’s own shell: the sea star pries the shell open slightly, then extends its stomach out of its mouth and through the crack. Joan Paley’s striking illustrations are saturated with the bold colors of the ocean environment. Insets draw the reader’s attention and convey the passage of time. Back matter provides further details about the topics covered in the story and information about sea-star reproduction and other species (“one kind looks like a star-shaped chocolate chip cookie!”).

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