Review by Booklist Review
Using the rhyme scheme and meter (minus the cumulative format) of "This Is the House That Jack Built," Sonenshine offers readers an informative look at octopuses. "This is the ledge of sandstone and lime, / layered with shells cemented by time, / that shelters the den that Octopus built." Later verses detail enlarging her den, wearing shells for disguise, capturing a crab, blinding a hungry seal with ink, tending to her eggs, and blowing the emerging juveniles out to sea. Hunter's ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil artwork favors pastel shades and feathery textures that help to convey the moving currents in this underwater setting. Although most of Octopus' fellow reef-dwellers are not identified by name, readers will recognize a few (sea horses, jellyfish, sea stars, turtles), be intrigued by their variety, and be impressed by Octopus' ability to camouflage herself while away from the den's protection. Appended with extensive "octo-knowledge" and glossary, this will be equally welcome in story hours and science units alike.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--5--An octopus may be the closest thing to an alien on Earth, which makes the species fascinating but difficult to relate to. Using the familiar rhyme scheme of "This is the House that Jack Built," Sonenshine introduces readers to the birth cycle of the octopus, from making its den, to laying eggs, to releasing its babies into the world. The word choices for the rhyme are quite advanced, making this an excellent read-aloud for older grades. Hunter's ink, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations bring warmth and accessibility to the subject, inviting readers into the pages. The illustrations depicting the end of life for the mother octopus are particularly moving; these scenes and their use of color convey sadness, sacrifice, and hope. An "octo-knowledge" section at the end provides fun facts, glossary, and an author's note. VERDICT A great read-aloud choice for older readers, recommended for most collections.--Kadie Seitz
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Octopus makes her home under a ledge near the shore. Detailing the life and habits of a common octopus, Sonenshine relies on the cumulative rhyme pattern that she used in The Nest That Wren Built (2020). Once again, words and illustrations work together to introduce an intriguing and popular creature; each page ends with the titular phrase. The opening page features the colorful habitat, with the octopus inside her den, barely visible. Subsequent spreads depict the octopus excavating her den, disguising herself as she hunts a crab, evading a hungry seal, guarding her eggs, and blowing her hatchlings out into the ocean. As the book closes, the sole surviving hatchling returns to the seafloor to start another generation. Ink, watercolor, and colored pencil artwork portrays a reef filled with other sea creatures. The text and images are set on paper tinted in a light yellow-green, which complements the blues and greens of this watery environment. The verse--triplets, with pleasing alliteration and internal repetitions of vowel sounds--rhythmically describes what's going on in each scene, cleverly conveying important octopus facts. Though there are many, many picture books about octopuses, this one will be a particular delight for reading aloud. The backmatter includes further information and an author's note about the hard-bottom reef off the coast of Georgia that inspired the setting. A lyrical addition to the oceanic bookshelf. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
