Review: How To Put An Octopus To Bed by Sherri Duskey Rinker

HOW TO PUT AN OCTOPUS TO BED

by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Illustrated Viviane Schwarz

Chronicle Books

Picture Book 

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

It's time for bed and this little octopus is more than happy to volunteer! He's all ready to put his parents to bed! Bath time, putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, and tucking everyone in is a whole new challenge when the kid is in charge (and especially when everyone has eight arms!)

        

MY TIDBITS

Bedtime becomes a squiggly, wiggly, arms-everywhere adventure with this cute little octopus and his nightly rituals.

It's time for this little octopus to go to bed, and he's ready for the challenge, especially if it means putting his parents to bed too. It starts with a bath time and tons of splashing moments, but soon turns into a giggle inducing experience with so much more than the little octopus or its parents expected.

Filled with silliness and cuteness, this little octopus is hard not to like. He harbors no mean intentions when bedtime comes around and is ready to head to the tub and everything else. This was nice to see, considering many bedtime stories have little ones who are trying to get out of going to sleep. That ridiculous nonsense still ensues makes this a lovely read, which is sure to put a smile on the face. The text fits perfectly in with the fun and allows for sound effects while still telling the tale as it unfolds.

The illustrations are bright, bold and let the cute mix right in with the chaos. The little octopus is round and super sweet, and never displays a bad attitude. The moments bring the text alive and demonstrate how quirky the situations become. I especially loved the teddy...so adorable...and believe this is one young listeners are sure to want to hear again...and again...and again.


And here they are...

The Author...
Sherri Duskey Rinker is the New York Times bestselling author of the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series and Steam Train, Dream Train. She lives in Chicago with her photographer husband and two energetic, inquisitive sons.

The Illustrator...

Viviane Schwarz is the author-illustrator of several picture books, including There are Cats in this Book, There are No Cats in this Book, and Is There A Dog in this Book? She can usually be found in her studio in London, unless she's outside researching and sketching.