Nico's Octopus [Hardcover]

Caroline Pitcher (Author), John W. Whelan (Author), Nilesh Mistry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Nico rescues a small octopus and takes it home to keep as a pet, caring for it until one day, he learns some sad and wonderful news. Includes a factual section on octopuses.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-This beautifully illustrated story conveys basic information about octopuses. Young Nico finds a live octopus in a fisherman's net and carries her home in a bucket. He makes a home for the creature in an aquarium in his room, where her relative solitude seems to agree with her. Eventually, however, she begins to act strangely, and it doesn't take long for Nico to find out why: she has laid her eggs in her den, and will soon die. The story ends with the boy carrying his pet to the sea in a small velvet-lined box and then releasing her babies into the ocean after her. Pitcher includes a brief epilogue about the evolution and biology of these fascinating animals. Mistry's resplendent illustrations, done in muted, watery hues, provide effective close-up depictions of this intriguing sea creature. An engaging and informative storyhour selection.
Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC
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About the Author

Caroline Pitcher's Kevin the Blue (Stories for Seven Year Olds, Puffin) won The Independent Story of the Year Award in 1993. Caroline's first book for Frances Lincoln was The Snow Whale, chosen as one of Child Education's Best Books of 1996 and shortlisted for the 1997 Children's Book Award. It was followed by The Time of the Lion and Mariana and the Merchild. Whereabouts: Derby; Nilesh Mistry was born in Bombay, and studied illustration at Harrow and St Martin's Schools of Art. He has illustrated more than 10 books for children. His first book for Frances Lincoln, Turtle Bay, written by Saviour Pirotta, was chosen for the Federation of Children's Book Group Pick of the Year in 1998. Whereabouts: Wealdstone, Middlesex --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Crocodile Books; 1 edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566564832
• ISBN-13: 978-1566564830
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,665,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book to teach about the octopuses., January 20, 2007

By 

K. Miller (San Antonio, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nico's Octopus (Paperback)

I read this book to my Pre-K class of 4 and 5 year olds, to teach about octopuses. My students really enjoyed the story and were able to learn so much about this really intelligent and interesting animal. The pictures in this book are beautiful and realistic. Many of my students chose this book off our library shelf to look at and enjoy the pictures after we had read the story. They also had so many questions and comments to make throughout the day! My thanks to this author!