I Am Not an Octopus

by Eoin McLaughlin, Marc Boutavant (Illustrator)

Overview

Can a scaredy octopus in denial embrace his true identity? A goofy octopod finally dares to take the plunge—and dip his tentacles into the water he fears.

Terry is definitely not an octopus. He’s just a regular guy who happens to have a few extra limbs and a love of canned tuna. But again, he is NOT an octopus. If he were an octopus, he’d be living in the ocean, right? Not to mention going to Super Octopus Fantasea Adventure World. He definitely wouldn't be on land, unless he was afraid of the water. Which he absolutely isn’t! OK, maybe, just maybe, it’s time he learned how to swim? Kids will smile at this very silly story about being brave, facing your fears, and accepting who you really are.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536225051
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	02/21/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.13(w) x 11.63(h) x 0.37(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Eoin McLaughlin is a picture book author whose books include The Hug, illustrated by Polly Dunbar, and Secret Agent Elephant, illustrated by Ross Collins. When he is not writing for children, Eoin McLaughlin works as a television copywriter. Born in Ireland, he has lived in Amsterdam and New York and now lives in London with his family.

Marc Boutavant is an award-winning graphic artist, illustrator, and comic-book author. He is the creator of Around the World with Mouk and has illustrated numerous children's books, including What Happens Next? by Nicola Davies; Edmond, The Thing by Astrid Desbordes; and Never Tickle a Tiger by Pamela Butchart. Born in Bourgogne, France, Marc Boutavant now lives in Paris.

Editorial Reviews

The interactive text is dramatic and funny—and sure to affirm readers with their own worries. . . . An engaging and humorous lesson about diving in and facing your worst fears.
—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2022-11-16
What’s a “regular guy” with eight arms doing on land?

Imagine bumping into a “regular guy with a few extra arms who happens to love tuna” at the grocery store. His name is Terry, and he is not an octopus. If he were, he’d be in the sea, unless he were afraid of water, which he is “absolutely not.” But an encounter with lawn sprinklers reveals the truth. Terry still denies being an octopus but admits that he would love to learn to swim and asks readers to teach him. At the pool, Terry is full of questions. “Do I keep my mouth open or shut? Should I try to sink to the bottom or float on the top?” At the pool’s edge, Terry cuts a terrified figure. “Help! What do I do? You’re SUPPOSED TO BE TEACHING ME!” Luckily, Terry is a natural, and he finally owns his octopus identity. The interactive text is dramatic and funny—and sure to affirm readers with their own worries. The palette of the cartoonish images changes as the story progresses, from greens and browns on land to decidedly aqua poolside colors to vibrant coral reef hues under the sea. Be sure to look for the numeral 8, hidden in plain sight in many illustrations. Human characters are mostly light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An engaging and humorous lesson about diving in and facing your worst fears. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews