Amazing Stories That Explore the Deep Sea, Ink Defense, and Extraordinary Tentacles
Squid are some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures—fast, flexible, and full of surprises! With their tentacles, inky defense, and deep-sea mystery, squids spark curiosity in kids and offer exciting entry points into science and imagination.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite squid books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included fun learning activities and thoughtful questions to deepen your underwater discovery. Let me know which squid story leaves the biggest splash!
***Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission when you purchase through the link from my blog. Thank you for your support!
Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Squids?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Squids
- 11 Squid Books For Children
- What Squid Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Squids?
Squid books combine ocean facts with deep-sea adventure and mystery.
These incredible animals come in all shapes and sizes—from tiny reef dwellers to the enormous giant squid lurking in the deep. Reading about squid introduces kids to anatomy, camouflage, and survival tactics, all while fueling imaginative play and scientific thinking.
Squid books encourage young readers to explore strange and wonderful parts of the natural world.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Squids
Books about squid mix marine biology, creativity, and courage.
Kids learn about how squid move, protect themselves, and adapt to different habitats. Squid characters often model bravery, uniqueness, and problem-solving—perfect for encouraging kids to think differently and celebrate what makes them special.
These stories show that even in the darkest depths, there’s light, learning, and a little bit of ink.
How to Use Books about Squids with Children
Here are some engaging ways to explore squid-themed stories:
- 🦑 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: Why do you think squid shoot ink? or What would it be like to live deep underwater? Encourage Turn and Talk or small group reflections to imagine life as a sea creature.
- 🎨 Engage in Squid-Themed Activities: Try making a squid from paper strips, tracing eight arms and two long tentacles, or exploring color-changing camouflage with watercolor. Set up a sensory bin with toy squid and seaweed or create your own “ink” art with droppers and watercolors.
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: During science units on marine animals or ecosystems, revisit squid facts and characters. Say: Just like in the story, squid can zoom away to escape danger!
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Share squid stories before a trip to the aquarium, or turn family reading time into an ocean-themed adventure with snacks, sea creature drawings, or deep-sea documentaries.
11 Squid Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 Alphaprints: Silly Squid and Other Fishy Friends by Roger Priddy
🔗 View on Amazon
A colorful and textured touch-and-feel book featuring a silly squid and other ocean creatures.
Activity Idea: Create your own fingerprint sea creatures with paint.
Discussion Questions:
- What textures did you feel in the book?
- Which ocean friend was your favorite?
- How would you describe the silly squid?
#2 Stefano the Squid: Hero of the Deep by Wendy Meddour
🔗 View on Amazon
Stefano the Squid isn’t flashy, but when trouble strikes, he shows true courage and heart.
Activity Idea: Draw your own deep-sea hero and give them a superpower.
Discussion Questions:
- What made Stefano a hero?
- How did he feel different from the other sea creatures?
- Why is being brave important?
#3 Sid the Squid: and the Search for the Perfect Job by David G. Derrick Jr.
🔗 View on Amazon
A lovable squid explores many careers in search of a job that’s just right for him.
Activity Idea: Pretend to interview different sea creatures for fun jobs.
Discussion Questions:
- What jobs did Sid try?
- Why didn’t they work out?
- What would your perfect job be?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 Giant Squid: Mystery of the Deep by Jennifer Dussling
🔗 View on Amazon
This early reader dives into facts and mysteries about the elusive giant squid.
Activity Idea: Make a fact booklet about giant squids.
Discussion Questions:
- What do we know about giant squids?
- Why are they hard to study?
- What mystery surprised you most?
#5 Giant Squid by DK
🔗 View on Amazon
Packed with stunning photos and facts, this DK reader explores the life of the giant squid.
Activity Idea: Label a diagram of a giant squid with what each part does.
Discussion Questions:
- What makes the giant squid unique?
- How do scientists learn about them?
- What’s your favorite squid fact?
#6 Tentacles!: Tales of the Giant Squid by Shirley Raye Redmond
🔗 View on Amazon
A true tale of how science uncovered the secrets of the giant squid.
Activity Idea: Act out a deep-sea explorer discovering a new animal.
Discussion Questions:
- What made studying the squid hard?
- How did people finally find one?
- Would you want to explore the deep sea?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 Search for a Giant Squid: Pick Your Path by Amy Seto Forrester
🔗 View on Amazon
Choose-your-own-adventure style story about a daring search for a giant squid.
Activity Idea: Create your own underwater “choose your path” story.
Discussion Questions:
- What path did you choose?
- Did you find the squid?
- What made the adventure fun?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 Giant Squid by Candace Fleming
🔗 View on Amazon
A poetic and beautifully illustrated book revealing the mystery of the deep-sea squid.
Activity Idea: Paint a swirling deep-sea scene using dark blues and purples.
Discussion Questions:
- How does the author describe the squid?
- What mood do the illustrations create?
- What did you feel while reading this?
#9 Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster by Mary M. Cerullo
🔗 View on Amazon
A mix of storytelling and science as researchers try to uncover the secrets of the sea monster.
Activity Idea: Roleplay as marine biologists searching the ocean.
Discussion Questions:
- What made the squid feel like a monster?
- What tools helped researchers?
- Why is curiosity important in science?
#10 Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid by HP Newquist
🔗 View on Amazon
A thrilling blend of legend and fact exploring how myths of the kraken relate to real giant squid.
Activity Idea: Create a sea monster myth of your own.
Discussion Questions:
- What’s the difference between myth and fact?
- Why do people create legends?
- What did the kraken represent in stories?
#11 Whale vs. Giant Squid by Jerry Pallotta
🔗 View on Amazon
In this imaginative battle book, kids learn about both creatures before imagining who might win.
Activity Idea: Draw a comic of a whale vs. squid face-off.
Discussion Questions:
- What strengths did each animal have?
- Who would win and why?
- What makes this book exciting?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Squid Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Squid books for kids are full of action, mystery, and unexpected learning. Whether your child dreams of underwater exploration or just loves sea creatures, these books make learning about the ocean fun, silly, and smart.
Which squid tale will you explore next? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite deep-sea reads, ocean-themed crafts, or inky facts!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
* * *
Other Blog Posts That You Might Enjoy:
- 15 Minutes Daily Social And Emotional Learning Activities For The Classroom (SEL Made Easy)
- How To Offer Growth Mindset Praise Effectively
- 3 Activities To Introduce Growth Mindset
