Inky the Octopus | Erin Guendelsberger
Title: Inky the Octopus
Author: Erin Guendelsberger
I only write children's book reviews rarely, but here's one. Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger is a charming retelling of a real-life disappearance that would put Harry Houdini to shame. This cute book is based on the true story of an octopus who decides the aquarium life is no longer for him. It turns out that when a cephalopod wants to stage a jailbreak, he doesn't need a team of specialists--he just needs to be squishy enough to fit through a drainpipe.
The story captures the cleverness of octopuses without turning them into cartoons, following Inky as he squeezes through a gap in his tank and makes a break for the floor drain to find the ocean. While the illustrations are engaging, it might be better for older kids in the 1st through 2nd grade range. The rhyme scheme is a bit more sophisticated than your average picture book, and the logic of escape requires a little more focus.
The story captures the cleverness of octopuses without turning them into cartoons, following Inky as he squeezes through a gap in his tank and makes a break for the floor drain to find the ocean. While the illustrations are engaging, it might be better for older kids in the 1st through 2nd grade range. The rhyme scheme is a bit more sophisticated than your average picture book, and the logic of escape requires a little more focus.
One of the highlights is the inclusion of nonfiction resources at the end of the story, which would definitely appeal to that older age demographic more. It turns a fun adventure into a learning moment, providing interesting information about octopuses that grounds the story in reality. This is a book my children did like, especially my 7-year-old, as it manages to be educational without being dry. It's a winner for any child who enjoys a good against-the-odds survival story--especially one involving three hearts and blue blood.
Four out of five stars.
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