Animals of the Ocean, in Particular the Giant Squid (HOW) [Hardcover]

Dr. Doris Haggis-on-Whey (Author), Benny Haggis-on-Whey (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: HOW

Here is the third installment in a series of reference books, all written by Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-on-Whey, a team of highly energized and deeply focused scientists with over sixty-seven combined years of experience at their command, including six months spent lifting awkwardly-sized boxes.

Animals of the Ocean advances many heretofore unexplored discoveries and opinions, including squid dating dos and don'ts, why squid are not at all able to watch television in black and white, the ways in which people who don't know any better might think fish are not animals, the long-term effects of salt water on musical theater, and also the adventure of Gunther.

Animals of the Ocean, in Particular the Giant Squid comes with a foil-stamped and leather-inspired cover. Its pages are full color and illustrated without reserve. This book does not contain a warning label, but if it did, it would advise readers to enjoy its pages only in small and furtive doses, such as while waiting your turn at tetherball.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: McSweeney's (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932416390
• ISBN-13: 978-1932416398
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Many Barracudas Are Named Ignacio And Want To Direct Films..., December 6, 2006

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Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Animals of the Ocean, in Particular the Giant Squid (HOW) (Hardcover)

This, the third of the Haggis-on-Whey books that I have read, contains many interesting facts about giant squids and other marine life such as barracudas, which not only have film directorial aspirations, but also are largely conversant in Spanish and Catalan (some also speak German.) These are facts that are hard to unearth outside the Haggis-on-Whey volumes (this is Volume 3, Number 164 of 307 in the series) which are fortunately extremely comprehensive, dealing not only with the larger marine science issues one would expect from such a volume ("The Mid-Atlantic Grey Shark's Guide to Installing Floor Tile," and "What Kind of Music Do Giant Squids Listen to While Traveling by Train?"), but also detailing related topics such as "How Recycling Works in Utah," and "How Bread is Made."

This is a wonderful book for anyone with a terribly odd or stream-of-consciousness sense of humor, or for giant squid owners. It is filled with useful illustrations and charts that reveal startling insight into things like "The Tubeworm: Rainbow of Emotion" and "Most Popular Baby Names For Fifty Seldom Seen Sea Animals," in which the reader learns, for example, that the most popular name for a female Little Post-Horn Squid is Brooklyn, while the most popular name for a male Pelican Eel is Henry or Henri. Truly, I do not think you could find this information anywhere else, and as a reference (or humor) book on marine life, I recommend it highly. Be sure to read the companion volume on giraffes: at least the Giant Squid didn't come from outer space on giant conveyor belts.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very highly recommended for both science and humor collections, February 2, 2007

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animals of the Ocean, in Particular the Giant Squid (HOW) (Hardcover)

OK, now you may think that ANIMALS OF THE OCEAN: IN PARTICULAR THE GIANT SQUID is to be a serious scientific treatise - or, given its slim appearance, that it's to be directed to younger audiences. Neither is true - with great British wit, irony, and tongue-in-cheek humor, The Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brilliance packs in zany squid and science references and neo-science observations suitable for any fan of Monty Python British humor. So why isn't this reviewed in our Humor Shelf area? Because any involved in zoology can't miss it: it's unique, funny and makes fun of scientific method in general - using a format and presentation which seems to provide facts disguised as humor. Very highly recommended for both science and humor collections at either the college or public library lending levels.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slightly less biologically acurate than Life Aquatic, February 20, 2007

By 

C. Huff (california, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animals of the Ocean, in Particular the Giant Squid (HOW) (Hardcover)

Recently given this book to review for a deep sea biology website, I am thrilled to now own a copy. Infinitely quotable. A pure riot, although sometimes it exudes that zany for zany's sake 'underground-zine' feeling. The authors clearly had an understanding of the ocean, which threw out to the hungry, eviscerating beaks so they could re-invent the wheel...underwater. And you can be sure they wore a stack of hats whilst doing it. I'm a cephalopod biologist, and I endorse this book.