HOW TO GET YOUR OCTOPUS TO SCHOOL

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.