Octopus Shocktopus! by Peter Bently, Steven Lenton
Published by Nosy Crow on August 9, 2022
ISBN: 1536223964
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

A bright orange octopus is found on the roof of a home located in a seaside village. Perhaps not snugly like a teddy bear or soft like the household cat, an octopus is a cool outdoor pet. Long arms are used for playing games, hanging laundry, and painting fences. Bently’s rhyming text is action-packed and funny while being poetic (though a little forced in places). Lenton brings the visiting octopus to life with his use of facial expressions; there is no doubt how the visitor feels about the children who live in this charming seaside village.  While most of the pages represent the blue and green natural environment, there are brilliant pops of color like the fantastic double-page spread showing an octopus Christmas tree. This would make a fun read-aloud. Youngsters and adult readers are sure to enjoy this laugh out loud humorous new title as they imagine a marine animal being stuck on their roof.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s librarian