Also an Octopus
What’s inside...
Even the most totally awesome story starts with a little bit of nothing. What happens next is up to you! A delightfully meta picture book that will set imaginations soaring. It begins with an octopus who plays the ukulele. Since this is a story, the octopus has to want something—maybe to travel to faraway galaxies in a totally awesome purple spaceship. Then the octopus sets out to build a spaceship out of soda cans, glue, umbrellas, glitter, and waffles. OK, maybe the octopus needs some help, like from an adorable bunny friend, and maybe that bunny turns out to be . . . a rocket scientist? (Probably not.) But could something even more amazing come to pass? Debut author Maggie Tokuda-Hall, with the help of illustrator Benji Davies, sets up an endearingly funny story, then hands the baton to readers, who will be more than primed to take it away.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the octopus dreams about, and why?
How does the octopus try to solve its problems? Can you think of other ways it might have tried?
Why do you think everyone wanted to help the octopus?
How do the different characters in the story help the octopus achieve its dreams?
What do you dream of doing or creating? How would you start?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading the book, ask your child to imagine what an octopus might dream about. This primes their imagination and sets the stage for the story.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask your child how they feel about the octopus's choices, ensuring they understand the character's motivation and emotions.
Encourage your child to relate the experiences of the octopus to their own, fostering empathy and personal connection with the story.
After finishing the book, have your child draw or write about their own big dream, discussing the steps they would need to take to achieve it, similar to the octopus in the story.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and asking for help, as shown in the book, and relate it to real-life situations where family or friends could support each other's goals.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The book begins with a simple premise of an octopus with a ukulele, which is then expanded into an imaginative story crafted by the octopus. This exemplifies the endless possibilities of creativity.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination in play and storytelling, showing them how any idea, no matter how small, can be the seed for a creative project.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the octopus faces several challenges. The process of figuring out how to achieve its dream of playing music demonstrates effective problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: Teaches children that obstacles can be overcome with thoughtful consideration and persistence, applicable in their daily interactions and challenges.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite the difficulties, the octopus remains determined to make its dream a reality. This resilience is a critical element of the storyline.
Real-World Application: Instills the value of determination and hard work in children, helping them understand the importance of persisting despite setbacks in any endeavor.
Example Lesson: Collaboration
Explanation: The octopus enlists the help of various other characters to fulfill its dream, demonstrating the value of working together.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to seek help and cooperate with others, emphasizing that teamwork can lead to achieving great things.
Example Lesson: Dreaming Big
Explanation: The octopus dreams of an extraordinary adventure that starts from a simple desire to make music, encouraging grand aspirations.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to dream big and to understand that with creativity and effort, they can achieve lofty goals.