Octopus Soup
What’s inside...
Early one morning an octopus leaves the safety of his parents' home and sets out on the adventure of his life. He climbs into a boat, hides in a tackle box, gets thrown to shore, scuttles to a restaurant, plunges into a water pitcher, escapes from a greedy chef, hides among some melons, gets chased back to the ocean, narrowly avoids being made into Octopus Soup, and finally swims home to his mom's loving tentacles. With graphic, digital artwork, Mercer Mayer takes you on a wordless journey you'll never forget!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the octopus in the story feel happy or sad?
If you were in the story, what would you do if you met the octopus?
How do you think the other characters in the book felt about the octopus's actions?
What lesson can we learn from the octopus's adventure?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone, just like the characters helped each other in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the emotions of the characters by asking how they would feel in similar situations.
Use expressive reading techniques, changing your tone of voice to match the mood of the story to keep your child engaged.
Discuss the value of teamwork and helping others as showcased in the book, connecting it to real-life examples familiar to your child.
Ask your child to draw a scene from the book. This can help them express their understanding and perceptions visually.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s daily experiences to reinforce the themes and lessons of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: In 'Octopus Soup', the characters face unexpected challenges which require them to come up with creative solutions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving skills learned from the book to navigate challenges at school or in social situations.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of working together to achieve a common goal, as the characters must collaborate to make the octopus soup.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of cooperating with others, whether in group projects or playing sports.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Characters in the book adapt to new situations when their initial plans don't work out.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to remain flexible and adapt to changes, such as adjusting to a new school or dealing with changes at home.
Example Lesson: Culinary Creativity
Explanation: The book showcases characters experimenting with different ingredients to make a unique dish, stimulating culinary creativity.
Real-World Application: Kids can be inspired to explore cooking or help in the kitchen, learning about new foods and how to prepare them.
Example Lesson: Sharing
Explanation: At the end of the story, the characters share the octopus soup with others, emphasizing the joy of sharing.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to share their belongings or snacks with friends, fostering generosity and social skills.