Fall 2018

Illustrated by Diana Schoenbrun

“This quirky tale of pet ownership focuses on social-emotional skills such as resilience, healthy competition, and cooperation while remaining light and entertaining … a cheery tale that highlights the importance of friendship, confidence, and working together. “—Kirkus

“Vernick’s humorous text is perfect for reading aloud. Schoenbrun’s ink, watercolor, and charcoal illustrations make the text shine and add many entertaining details. VERDICT: An amusing read-aloud about how feeling second best can be overcome with teamwork (and two cephalopods).”—School Library Journal

“Vernick’s lively style brings humor and energy … The octopus-camouflage twist is an entertaining and science-friendly detail that may surprise some youngsters (have YouTube videos at the ready) while allowing others to share their octopus knowledge.”—The Bulletin