Also an Octopus

August 8, 2016
Debut author Tokuda-Hall offers a capricious crash course in the elements and boundless possibilities of story. “Every story starts the same way... with nothing,” explains an unseen narrator. “And every story needs a character. Any character you can imagine!” The narrator promptly conjures a ukulele-playing octopus who, for a story to materialize, “needs to want something.” Tokuda-Hall subtly introduces concepts like conflict and emotional stakes as the octopus unsuccessfully attempts to build a spaceship from soda cans, umbrellas, glitter, and waffles (“I’m not really qualified to build a spaceship,” quips the bewildered protagonist). Eventually, the octopus’s ukulele-strumming attracts friends and rocket scientists, who help propel the story to a resolution. What happens next, the author tells readers, is “up to you! When one story ends, it’s just making room for another story to begin.” Davies’s (Grandad’s Island) freewheeling digital art keeps pace with the encouraging narration, and the concluding image—of a rocket scientist water-skiing atop a rhino while wearing a colander on her head—cements the idea that, when it comes to storytelling, anything is possible. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, Bright Literary.

October 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 3-"Every story starts the same way...with nothing." So begins this picture book, which doubles as an encouraging exercise in story development. Moving on from nothing, the narrator says that every story needs a character, and after presenting a couple of possibilities (a little girl, a bunny), it settles on an octopus who plays the ukulele. From there, the narrator explores the concept of plot: "But in order for it to be a story, and not just an octopus, that octopus needs to want something." This particular octopus wants a spaceship, a complicated desire that sets the stage for plenty of comedy and the introduction of more characters (including the girl, the bunny, and some rocket scientists). The bubbly, appealing art has punchy humor and works as an ongoing conversation with the narration, bringing the fumbling but exciting progress of crafting a new story to life. As the book ends, the visuals move the plot in a multitude of new directions, but the text leaves everything open-ended, concluding with encouragement for readers to take it from there. The final page shows one of the rocket scientists wielding a wrench and sporting a colander on her head as she rides a water-skiing rhinoceros off the right-hand page into whatever new plot readers can dream up for her. VERDICT This entertaining read-aloud will jump-start imaginations and create opportunities for thinking about existing tales as well as for making new ones.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Debut author Tokuda-Hall and veteran illustrator Davies deconstruct the art of storytelling in this insightful, playful primer.What does every story need? A character, first of all. In this story, readers meet a ukulele-playing octopus. The octopus must desire something "for it to be a story," suggests the narrator. And what's better than wanting a "totally awesome shining purple spaceship capable of intergalactic travel"? The octopus must earn the spaceship, though--by building it out of stuff like glue, soda cans, and waffles. It's hard to build a spaceship, and even if the octopus receives help from an adorable bunny, it may not quite end up working out. "By now, the octopus is starting to give up." Mixing deadpan humor with whimsical, endearing characters, Tokuda-Hall spins a reader-friendly metanarrative out of a wickedly absurd premise. Filled with numerous shades of purple, yellow, and blue, Davies' inspired digital artwork springs from the page, like bursts of an overactive imagination. Exaggerated facial expressions also incite laughs, including a spread of the octopus in a "despondent" swoon. Yet this story wraps up a little too neatly, throwing in a contrived, feel-good resolution. Incapable of building a spaceship, the discouraged octopus plays the ukulele, attracting a racially diverse crowd of music-loving rocket scientists. Too easy? Perhaps, but maybe that's the point. A perceptive how-to for beginner storytellers. (Picture book. 3-7) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2016
Debut author Tokuda-Hall and veteran illustrator Davies deconstruct the art of storytelling in this insightful, playful primer.What does every story need? A character, first of all. In this story, readers meet a ukulele-playing octopus. The octopus must desire something for it to be a story, suggests the narrator. And whats better than wanting a totally awesome shining purple spaceship capable of intergalactic travel? The octopus must earn the spaceship, thoughby building it out of stuff like glue, soda cans, and waffles. Its hard to build a spaceship, and even if the octopus receives help from an adorable bunny, it may not quite end up working out. By now, the octopus is starting to give up. Mixing deadpan humor with whimsical, endearing characters, Tokuda-Hall spins a reader-friendly metanarrative out of a wickedly absurd premise. Filled with numerous shades of purple, yellow, and blue, Davies inspired digital artwork springs from the page, like bursts of an overactive imagination. Exaggerated facial expressions also incite laughs, including a spread of the octopus in a despondent swoon. Yet this story wraps up a little too neatly, throwing in a contrived, feel-good resolution. Incapable of building a spaceship, the discouraged octopus plays the ukulele, attracting a racially diverse crowd of music-loving rocket scientists. Too easy? Perhaps, but maybe thats the point. A perceptive how-to for beginner storytellers. (Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 15, 2016
Grades K-2 Do you know what it takes to create a story? This picture book walks readers through the process by introducing key story elements, like a main character, a desire, an obstacle, and an ending; but don't be fooled into thinking this is some dull composition guide. It is, in fact, brimming with ridiculous whimsyand glitter and waffles. The narrator directly addresses the reader in an instructive tone that is undermined by silly examples and comical artwork. Saturated pages form colorful backdrops to the printlike illustrations, where the figures interact with the narrator, as well as with one another. After cycling through a couple of potential main characters (girl, adorable bunny), the narrator settles on a ukulele-playing octopus who happens to want an awesome shining purple spaceship. Unfortunately, octopuses aren't very good at building spaceships. As complications pile up, the narrator offers more prompts until, almost magically, the story's resolution begins to take shape. Funny and engaging, this book has an interactive quality that will inspire kids to imagine a story of their own.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)