Book Review: Squid and Octopus Friends for Always

Author/Illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Publisher: Penguin (June 28, 2012)
Audience: Preschool to Age 7
Source: Personal Copy
Friendship * Early Reader * Humor * Picture Book

Description from GoodReads:
A friend for always is someone who... knows how to cheer you up when you're feeling droopy, usually sees things your way, and never lets a quarrel get out of hand. As you'll see in these endearing, silly stories, a friend for always is the very best thing in the deep blue sea.

My thoughts on the book:
LOVE.  I am in love with this book.  When I first read this as a F & G back in February, I knew I had to have it.  Imagine your favorite early reader friendship pairs - Mouse & Mole, Frog & Toad, Elephant & Piggie - now add in Squid and Octopus. This not exactly a regular picture book and not truly an early reader will appeal to the audience who loves all those other great friendships. I love this quirky, hilarious pair and I already want more.

As with any early reader, the story of Squid & Octopus is told in four shorter stories.  And they are all great.

I am a little partial to The Quarrel where Squid and Octopus argue over socks and mittens.  

I loved the simplicity of the color theme that flows throughout the book but there is incredible detail in Nyeu's artwork.  I also really enjoyed all of the little side comments sprinkled throughout the book. From above: Fish 1 - Do you think that is carrot cake? I love carrot cake. Fish 2 - I prefer pumpkin pie.

In The Dream, guess who is lurking behind the flip page - Bear and the bunnies from Bunny Days. 

The Hat was another one of my favorite short stories in the book.  The conversations among the diners at Yum Yum's is hilarious.  

And here are my little fish friends again as they try to figure out what is on the heads of Squid and Octopus.   

I am hoping that you can see from both the text and illustrations why Squid and Octopus Friends for Always is one of my top picks for this year.  I want more Squid and Octopus and hope that Nyeu isn't finished writing about these two friends. 

If you haven't seen Squid and Octopus, you need to head over to your favorite Indie Bookstore to pick up a copy or local library, or order it from IndieBound.org

For more information about Tao Nyeu: website |  publisher's page


Check out the book trailer for Bunny Days:

Nerdy Book Club Guest Post

Today I have a special guest post on the Nerdy Book Club Blog where I share a list my top 10 Early Readers.  However, have you ever tried to limit yourself to just 10 titles for 1st to 3rd graders?  It wasn't easy.  As a result, I am posting 10 more titles here.   For those of you working with 1st to 3rd Graders, here are 10 more book choices that are sure to be hits with your kiddos.

Marty McGuire by Kate Messner - Move over Clementine, Judy, and Ramona - there is a new 3rd grader in town and her name is Marty.  I love Messner's early Middle Grade series.  Marty McGuire Digs Worms comes out on April 1st. 

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee - I love Bink & Gollie and book two will be here in time for the summer.  Yay!

Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm - I have 1st graders all the way up to 5th graders reading this series.  Who doesn't love Babymouse?  She rocks!

Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst; Illustrated by Lane Smith - There is only one book with Lulu but it sure is a good one.  I love all of the alternate ending choices.

Araminta Spookie by Angie Sage - Araminta lives in a big house, a castle of sorts along with her aunt and uncle, and a ghost, and quite a few more unusual things.  Just the right spookie fun for an early chapter book series.

Dinkin’ Dings by Guy Bass; Illustrated by Pete Williamson - Dinkin' is afraid of...well pretty much everything.  But it doesn't stop Dinkin' and the Frightening Things from having to save their neighborhood on a regular basis.  Lots of laughs with some scary things too.

Roscoe Riley by Katherine Applegate; Illustrated by Brian Biggs - Roscoe is one of my favorite first graders. 

Zac Power by H.I. Larry - For kids who enjoy things like Spy Kids, Zac Power is the perfect read.  Lots of adventure and cool gadgets can be found in these stories.

Down Girl and Sit by Lucy Nolan; Illustrated by Mike Reed - The world from the perspective of dogs.  Pretty humorous.

Gabby and Gator by James Burks - This would be cool as a series but I am happy for at least one story of Gabby and Gator.  This is another one that appeals from 1st to 5th grade.

Happy Reading...and be sure to stop by the Nerdy Book Club.

Book Review - Dodsworth in Rome

Author/Illustrator: Tim Egan

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Audience:  1st to 3rd Graders (and the adults who read with them)
Source:  Check them out at your local library or your favorite Indie Bookstore
Fiction * Travel * Early Chapter Books * Friendship * Humor

Description of Dodsworth in Rome from GoodReads:
With trips to New York, Paris, and London under their belts, it’s now time for Dodsworth and the duck to visit Rome! From throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain to winning a pizza-dough-throwing contest to looking up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Dodsworth and his misbehaving duck take a tour of their oldest city yet. With Tim Egan’s snappy words and playful illustrations, it will surely be a spaghetti-twirling sight to see. 

My thoughts on the Series:
Would declaring my love be too strong a reaction over an early chapter book series?  Hmmm...maybe, but I will risk it.  I will confess that I started this series with the most current book, Dodsworth in Rome.  It turns out that it is helpful (though not necessary) to read them in order.  As soon as I finished Dodsworth in Rome, I started recommending the book.  I read parts of it aloud to my office manager.  I handed it to one of my students and had her read it.  Then I gave it to my niece and told her mom to read it to her.  I even went into my local indie bookstore, pulled the series off the shelf and plunked it down in front of one of the staff in the Children's Department and told her she needed to read it.  Hey, I hand sold a few copies that day in the bookstore.  Yes, I am in love with Dodsworth and his buddy the duck.  

Maybe you think this is absolutely silly, but you need to understand that there are few early chapter books that are actually enjoyable to read.  Sure there is Frog & Toad, and Mouse & Mole, but there are many that are way less memorable.  So, when I find a new series that I really enjoy, I get a little giddy over it.  

Dodsworth's adventure begins in New York (Book 1) where thanks to a crazy duck, he gets to visit all kinds of fun places in the Big Apple.  Just as he thinks he is about to return duck to his owner, then their real adventures seem to just be starting.  In Book 2, Dodsworth finds himself in Paris accompanied by his crazy friend, duck, who had great difficulty staying out of trouble.  After some humorous times in Paris, Book 3 finds the friends in London, where more hilarity ensues including a case of mistaken identity.  Though I loved the first three books, I think Book 4's adventures in Rome is still my favorite.  Silly word plays, crazy antics, and visits to famous places will have developing readers eager to read more.  Additionally, these books would make for great read alouds in 1st and 2nd grade.  

I don't know where Dodsworth and duck will end up next but I can't wait to read about it.  


Check out a couple of animated short videos by creator Tim Egan:

 

Check out this great blog post from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast as he interviews Tim Egan. 

For more information about author/illustrator, Tim Egan, check out his website: http://www.timegan.com/