encyclopedia

Sea Star Grabbas of Hermit Island-Hermipedia: The Viking and the hermit

September 1, 2013 by C&B~Viking & Hermit

Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Sea Star Grabbas of Hermit Island…

A sea star is a starfish, and there are a bunch of sea star starfish Grabbas on Hermit Island, where our children’s book series, The Viking and the hermit takes place.

Sea Star Starfish Grabbas Species of Hermit Bay

The starfish Grabbas species in the waters of Hermit Bay are different from a regular sea star starfish.

Let’s run through some similarities and differences in the species!

How Many Species of Starfish and Where Do They Live?

First, did you know that about 1500 species of starfish live in the oceans? A starfish can live in the tropics as well as the polar subzero waters, and they can be found as far down in the depths of the sea as 20,000 feet.

Our starfish Grabbas species in our story, and in the waters of Hermit Bay live in a more tropical environment.

So far, Hermit has only found them as far down as where the seahorses take him, but it is quite likely they do live as far down as 20,ooo feet as well.

Star Shape and Size

They get their name from their star shape, but the starfish Grabbas happen to be quite a bit larger than the typical sea star. Whereas most species are about the size of an adult hand, our starfish species are about the size of a smaller octopus, and even as big as Hermit.

Most of our star species have five arms, which they use to swim, and climb over rocks both in the sea and on land. They can even climb up to the top of a cliff, and spring off to fly in the air.

This usually happens when you spear fish, because they like to steal the fish that you’ve already caught.

Since most starfish are opportunistic predators, our sea star species pose a greater threat based on their sheer size. Plus, they are able to hunt and eat prey much larger than their mouths, much the same as typical species.

Starfish Speed

The typical starfish species move very slowly at a pace of 6 inches in 1 minute. But our star species are capable of very fast speeds, and they can be down in the depths of the sea, and up to the cliff of the rocks, to spring to your fish caught on your spear in under 5 minutes.

This sea star below started on the sandy floor…

Then the sea star starfish and friends climbed all the way up the rock cliff really fast!…

Starfish Brain Power

Unlike regular starfish species which lack a brain, our species do have brain power, and communicate with each other in their own way. They work together as a team to move and distract their prey, and in particular are drawn to any fishing activity in the sea, where they can attempt to grab, and steal away a caught fish on a spear.

Just ask Viking and Hermit!

Sea Star Grabbas of Hermit Island-Hermipedia: The Viking and the hermit

~Courtney & Betina
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P.S. Can you guess why Hermit named them Grabbas?

Filed Under: Blog, Hermipedia Tagged With: edit, encyclopedia, hermit, hermit island, hose, marine, retrieved, sea, sea star, series, species, star, starfish, stars, viking

How to Ride a Horse or Seahorse-Hermipedia: The Viking and the Hermit

August 23, 2013 by C&B~Viking & Hermit

Today’s Hermipedia Feature: How to Ride a Horse or Sea horse on Hermit Island…

The sea horses in our children’s story, The Viking and the hermit: Spear Fishing with Sasha & Kasha, are not like other seahorses, but you can ride them very similarly, just like a regular horse.

The Difference Between a Horse and Our Sea horses

First, we need to point out some differences on how to ride a horse from one of our sea horses in our story. A sea horse is more upright than a horse, but is similar in height. Instead of holding reins like on a horse, you hold around the neck of the sea horse.

Horses Gallop vs. Sea Horses Skip

The sea horse does not gallop or trot like a horse, but a ride on one springs and bounces much like a pogo stick instead.

There is a rhythm of movement while riding a sea horse as well. It is both forward, and riding over a hump, like a horse on land, but the hump is bigger and more vertical in riding, as the sea horses spring, skip and jump.

A horse can navigate over land of course, and water too, but the sea horses of our story are supreme swimmers as well as mobile on land for riding.

Similarities Between Riding a Horse and Our Sea Horses

Our sea horses have a saddle area or curve of their backs for riders to sit, although the ride is bare back, and without any stirrups.

Mount a Sea Horse

To mount a sea horse for riding, a rider must hold to the sea horse neck, and lift and swing up onto the sea horse. The sea horses are very good at sitting still to make this easier if you first pet them, and rub their long noses. You can then rub between their eyes, and stroke their head comb, over and down to the back of the neck, where you need to place your hand to lift yourself up for riding.

How to Ride

A rider sits upright and straight on the back of the sea horse, much like a horse. To ride, you want your shoulders straight and not rounded. For riding, you need your lower back to not be curved, but lined up under your shoulders.

To ride like Viking, and because she is so tall, she does not need to swing up onto the back of the horse like Hermit. She can just scoot up, and keep both legs to one side, like side-saddle on a regular horse.

The Difference Between How to Ride and Stop a Horse from a Sea Horse

Since there are no reins with our sea horses, to stop the skipping, hopping or jumping, riders need to lightly squeeze with their legs to first let the sea horse know. Then, a rub on the neck where riders hold, will tell the sea horses to come to a stop. It also helps to just say, “Whoa Kasha.”, or “Let’s stop Sasha.”

Our sea horses in our story, and particularly Kasha and Sasha are very smart, and will hear voice commands well. Especially if they have gotten to know you, like Hermit, and know that Hermit likes Viking, and it’s OK to like Viking too.

How to Ride a Horse or Seahorse-Hermipedia: The Viking and the Hermit

Courtney & Betina
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About the Vikings-Hermipedia: The Viking and the Hermit

July 25, 2013 by C&B~Viking & Hermit

Hermipedia Feature: About the Vikings

If you’re new here, Hermipedia is a made up encyclopedia mix of fact and fiction to explore and explain all characters, wild life, activity, flora and fauna of Hermit Island, where our Illustrated Children’s Book Series Adventure, The Viking and the hermit takes place.

Today we are learning some Viking’s History and about the Vikings!

The Meaning of the Word, “Viking”

The word “viking” is an Old Norse(Icelandic language) noun which refers to an expedition overseas usually by ship. In other expressions, “to go on a viking” meant to go on a raid or participate in piracy, but could also simply have meant to have a seaborne mission of trade or commerce.

Viking Revival Age

Much of what we know about the Viking’s history today is based on the 19th Century Viking Revival Age, which was a rediscovery of the Viking past for Norwegians. At this time, Norwegians saw a rise in nationalism, and began to look to their Viking history and ancestry more. With the discovery and excavation of the first Viking ship there, it gave Norwegians new knowledge about the Vikings, their history and their culture.

This Viking ship was built around 900 A.D., and in a ship or boat burial mound of dirt. We also know that the only complete Viking helmet ever found was in Norway.

The Viking Revival Age also marked when Norway and Sweden came together in history under one Swedish King. Norway was previously united with Denmark until a Declaration of Independence, war and Treaty agreement resulted in the official United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway between 1814 and 1905.

During this Viking’s Age, the theory that Vikings explored North America centuries before Christopher Columbus were published and discussed. Today in America, Leif Erikson Day is celebrated on October 9th, in honor of the first Europeans or Vikings to set foot in North America, and discover the New World.

Columbus Day is still celebrated on October 12th as his arrival in the Americas in 1492.

The Viking and the hermit:

Although much of Viking’s past remains a mystery to Hermit, and he knows that she is sensitive talking of it, Viking and Hermit both find great comfort in each other’s company, and feel connected, as if they know each other from a time before.

Each day on Hermit Island, Viking learns something new, and she grows more confident in her skills and place there. Each task proves she can learn more, and she likes the way that makes her feel. She left her Viking village and family lost and alone, but she now has Hermit and his Island as her new friends.

At night, she lies in her guest home-clam house bed, and looks at her beautiful Viking helmet gift from her father, resting on the shelf above. The pain of not seeing him subsides slightly, as she thinks of waking up to be ready to spear fish with Hermit.

Courtney & Betina
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Filed Under: Blog, Hermipedia Tagged With: a viking, about the vikings, about the vikings for kids, age, century, encyclopedia, history, lost vikings, norse, norway, scandinavian, the viking and the hermit, the vikings, viking, viking helmet, viking ship, vikings

What is Hermipedia?

June 26, 2013 by C&B~Viking & Hermit

What is Hermipedia exactly?

It’s the encyclopedia of all things on or about Hermit Island, its inhabitants, the wild life, plant life, sea life and everything encompassing your reading adventure of our Children’s Book Series: The Viking & the hermit.

What are some of the features of Hermipedia that you can expect to read and discover?