06/26/2023
It’s all-hands-on-deck when a pale-skinned child with long black pigtails tries to wrangle an octopus for his first day of school. Addressing readers in a second-person voice, Scharnhorst offers funny and endearingly patient point-by-point advice on a morning routine that includes finding one’s octopus (“Octopuses are good at hiding. Very, very good”) and getting out the door (“He’ll insist on picking out eight of his favorite stuffed animals to bring along. This will take FOREVER!”). All the while, Sinquett’s breezy digital art depicts a small, salmon-hued octopus humorously exhibiting arrayed behaviors both human (trying on outfits, sitting at the breakfast table) and cephalopod (camouflaging, inking). Arrival at the classroom, filled with octopus friends and a kind-faced teacher, sets the stage for a tender transition. “Ten (Mostly) True Facts About Octopuses” closes this sweetly humorous take on a familiar rite of passage. Ages 4–8. (May)
★"Scharnhorst’s second-person narrative slips readers into the perspective of the young girl sending her cunning, yet cuddly, octopus off to school. While the octopus’s game of hide-and-seek may extend a bit too long for grown-ups, young readers will hardly notice as they enjoy spotting the octopus hiding throughout Sinquett’s playful and brightly colored digital cartoon illustrations. Spoiler alert: The goodbye hug at the end of the story might draw a tear from grown-up readers getting ready to send children off to school. Back matter contains a list of “Ten (Mostly) True Facts About Octopuses,” for readers curious about the habits of octopuses highlighted throughout. VERDICT A charming, eight-armed hug of a story that won’t hide long on library shelves."—School Library Journal (starred review)
"The matter-of-fact text will easily pull anyone into this alternate version of the world, where octopuses play with stuffed toys, draw at easels, and hug their humans goodbye. As a bonus, the book does not reference a specific school level, making it accessible for a wide range of young children. A list of octopus facts after the story will help caregivers distinguish between truth and fiction presented in the narrative. A charming back-to-school book for the nervous octopus in all of us." — Kirkus reviews
"Sinquett’s illustrations are neatly composed and highly detailed, showing off every stitch of a knit pattern, every vein on a leaf, and every speckle of glitter, while still maintaining a cartoonish, adorable look for the octopus and his burdened but doting pigtailed caretaker. The red-hued octopus’ outfits and choice of hiding spots make this a visual treat of a picture book as viewers get to look for the octopus on each page and giggle at his evasion tactics and stylish garb. The octopus serves as a sweet buffer for viewers who are shy about going to school themselves, and older siblings may benefit from a reminder to be patient with little ones who don’t know the drill just yet. An engaging list of embellished octopus facts is included at the end." —BCCB
"It’s all-hands-on-deck when a pale-skinned child with long black pigtails tries to wrangle an octopus for his first day of school. Addressing readers in a second-person voice, Scharnhorst offers funny and endearingly patient point-by-point advice on a morning routine . . . All the while, Sinquett’s breezy digital art depicts a small, salmon-hued octopus humorously exhibiting arrayed behaviors both human (trying on outfits, sitting at the breakfast table) and cephalopod (camouflaging, inking). Arrival at the classroom, filled with octopus friends and a kind-faced teacher, sets the stage for a tender transition. “Ten (Mostly) True Facts About Octopuses” closes this sweetly humorous take on a familiar rite of passage." —Publishers Weekly
★ 08/01/2023
PreS-Gr 2—"Congratulations! It's time for your octopus to start school!" A small, apprehensive coral octopus eyes the letter flashed by a young pale-skinned girl, matching the extra arms of her playmate with two long, dark brown pigtails. Her octopus would rather stay home, and he uses camouflage to hide in plants, a toy chest, and the shower, sending the girl scouring the house for her eight-armed friend. After snatching him up into a tickle attack, she plops him down beside a closet to find a suitable outfit for the first day of school. Mystery mollusk toast for breakfast concludes the manic morning, and then it's time for the clingy octopus to slide into Mrs. Bubble's classroom. What surprises will the octopus discover inside? Scharnhorst's second-person narrative slips readers into the perspective of the young girl sending her cunning, yet cuddly, octopus off to school. While the octopus's game of hide-and-seek may extend a bit too long for grown-ups, young readers will hardly notice as they enjoy spotting the octopus hiding throughout Sinquett's playful and brightly colored digital cartoon illustrations. Spoiler alert: The goodbye hug at the end of the story might draw a tear from grown-up readers getting ready to send children off to school. Back matter contains a list of "Ten (Mostly) True Facts About Octopuses," for readers curious about the habits of octopuses highlighted throughout. VERDICT A charming, eight-armed hug of a story that won't hide long on library shelves.—Emily Brush
2023-01-12
A child helps their octopus with first-day-of-school jitters.
“Hearing the word ‘school’ might make him nervous,” the narration warns. “He would much rather stay home with you and play hide-and-seek or dress up.” The anthropomorphic octopus is cute as a button, sometimes in a black cap and sometimes in shifting hues, if he is concealing himself. A nameless, light-skinned child with long pigtails is the patient caretaker, withstanding the octopus’ suction cups and coaxing him toward a breakfast of toast with “mystery mollusk” spread. Some illustration elements have a colored-pencil feel, conveying warm feelings through a bright palette. Relatable concerns, like meeting new people, choosing the right outfit, and running late, are entertaining and even funny; in one memorable moment, the octopus produces ink in fear and evades the child’s efforts. The inking moment is awarded a full spread, encouraging readers to pause to discuss their own first-day-of-school worries. The matter-of-fact text will easily pull anyone into this alternate version of the world, where octopuses play with stuffed toys, draw at easels, and hug their humans goodbye. As a bonus, the book does not reference a specific school level, making it accessible for a wide range of young children. A list of octopus facts after the story will help caregivers distinguish between truth and fiction presented in the narrative. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A charming back-to-school book for the nervous octopus in all of us. (Picture book. 3-6)
