Reading the story with your Child
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Allow your child to read this story to you. If your child does not understand a word or is unable to pronounce it, please assist him/ her by defining or providing the correct pronunciation of the word. Let your child repeat the word a few times. Listen for the correct pronunciation of beginning, middle, and ending sounds.

At the end of the story, ask your child a few questions about the story’s plot. Or, have your child retell the story in his/ her own words. Then, have your child click the "comprehension quiz" button.

"The Incredible Starfish"
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Starfish are multicolored and strange-looking animals. They come in every color of the rainbow and are shaped like a star with five legs. Under each leg are tiny suction cups. The suction cups grip the ocean's floor as the starfish moves over rock and sand. Occasionally, strong ocean waves can wash a starfish ashore; a stranded starfish on the beach is not an uncommon sight.

The starfish is a very unusual fish. It can do some incredible things that people would like to understand. For example, if a starfish loses one of its legs, it can grow a new one. If it loses all of its legs and there is one piece left, it can grow five new legs. It does not matter how small the piece is that is left. Scientists would like to know how starfish do this.
The starfish has another trick. It can open a clamshell without a knife. It squeezes and squeezes the shell until the clam opens it a small crack. Next, the starfish slips a part of its special stomach inside the crack and enjoys a tasty clam feast.

Some people think that if you flip a starfish on its back, it will stay that way and eventually die. This is not true. The starfish will turn itself right side up. First, to correct its position, it will turn one of its legs completely over until it can grip the ground. Second, it will fold itself in half so two more legs can grip the ground. Third, the starfish does a somersault to turn itself right side up. Isn't that incredible?