reviews:

 

“Behold the incredible octopus! Think you’ve heard everything there is to know about these creatures? You’re bound to learn something new thanks to the gentle rhyming text. The rhymes themselves (which are difficult to write in the first place) are very well done. Best of all, this not only covered all the octopus facts I wanted to see (brains in arms, moms die protecting babies, etc.) it included a couple I’d never heard of before (how have I never heard of octopuses riding jellyfish before?!?). I mean, this is great stuff.” ​~School Library Journal Fuse#8 Blog, Betsy Bird's Sibert Medal Predictions

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"Rhymes are dangerous things. Many is the picture book that has done them poorly. They are also remarkably difficult to pull off. Anyone who has ever read aloud a picture book that didn’t scan juuuuuuuust right knows what I mean. And anyone who has ever tried to write a book in rhyme? You also know what I mean. It takes a certain level of talent to get away with it. Today we celebrate the successful rhymers!" 

~School Library Journal Fuse#8 Blog, Betsy Bird's 2024 Rhyming Picture Book list

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​​“Playful rhyming verse and gorgeous artwork cannot fail to excite kids who are curious about octopuses in this nonfiction picture book. The verse works well to summarize the illustrations for the youngest readers, while more detail is readily available. The artwork is perfect in describing the octopus’s camouflage abilities and ocean habitat. Back matter includes a glossary, sources and an anatomical diagram.” ~Massachusetts Librarians Youth Services Book Review

 

“In this attractive title, rhyming couplets, set against vibrant illustrations and supplemented with additional information in a smaller font, introduce a fascinating, seemingly alien species…Lucas’ digitally created artwork shows off the octopuses’ amazing agility. Simplified shapes, vivid colors, and subtle background patterning are used to wonderful effect to portray these creatures, both outside and in…Eye-catching and intriguing.” ~Kirkus Reviews

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