Octopus Shocktopus

This is a lovely story and a perfect, pertinent one for 2020 about accepting differences, being welcoming and kind to one and all.

It’s a quirky, pretty bonkers idea that an octopus would land on anybody’s roof but if one were to I would quite like this one as it is fluorescent orange!

The story is told in rhyme so it would be great to enjoy together but also makes it a good one to read by yourself as there are lots of supportive word clues from rhyme and obviously the illustrations help along the way too.

It begins with an octopus landing on a house and a neighbour clearly stating ‘An octopus does NOT belong.’ So the neighbours calls the fire brigade to get rid of the octopus resulting in some sad pictures of the octopus being bombarded by water jets but still hanging on for dear life with its tentacles. However, everyone soon realises that the octopus has many skills, not least plenty of tentacles which are much better than two arms. The octopus rescues a teddy that gets stuck down the loo, it can play football, provide washing lines and then be a beautiful Christmas Octopus with lights. Soon people come for miles to see the marvellous octopus-even the neighbour changes her mind.

But then one day the octopus just goes away out of the blue. There’s a great surprise at the end so I won’t spoil it for you.

Steven Lenton’s illustrations are very appealing. The luminous octopus really works with the background of more detailed illustrations. Each page has lots to look out for including a very special little dog who is mentioned in the dedication. A very enjoyable book with a heart-warming message.