An Octopus Followed Me Home [Paperback]

Dan Yaccarino (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Could you say no to a sweet little pet with nowhere to go? How about a pet with big green, watery eyes and eight squiggly legs just made for cuddling? All you need is a big heart, an understanding parent, and a house that isn't just a home it's a complete zoo! Dan Yaccarino sets this comic tale in motion with bright, bold art that bursts off the page. This story will make any parent or child who's ever confronted a sweet, homeless ball of fur consider carefully and laugh out loud.

Dan Yaccarino is the illustrator of M.C. Helldorfer's Carnival and the author/illustrator of If I Had a Robot of which Kirkus said, "Vibrant colors in geometric shapes spill across the pages...Yaccarino keeps the visual suspense going." Mr. Yaccarino's work has appeared in a variety of galleries and publications, as well as on book jackets and children's toys.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"With a plot and images fueled by imagination and exaggeration," said PW, this tale is for anyone who can't resist a stray pet. Ages 3-8. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K?Yaccarino's retro colors and shapes tell the story of a little girl who brings home yet another stray?the octopus of the title being only the latest addition to a menagerie that includes crocodiles under the bed, seals in the pool, penguins in the fridge, mountain goats on the roof, and two elephants in the garage. Dad finally has had it and sends his daughter out to take the eight-legged creature back to the sea. She isn't too upset, since she picks up another stray (a dinosaur) on the way home. The rhyming text is graphically expressed in rounded, large illustrations. Flat lime greens, burnt oranges, and mustard yellows highlight the double-page spreads and will carry well for group sharing. Youngsters will delight in the silliness of the pets who take over the house. Pair this with Jake Wolf's Daddy, Could I Have an Elephant? (Greenwillow, 1995) and Hiawyn Oram's A Boy Wants a Dinosaur (Farrar, 1991) for storytime use.?Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public Library.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140565329
• ISBN-13: 978-0140565324
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #575,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dan has written and illustrated over three dozen children's books and has had the pleasure of working with some of the most prestigious names in children's literature, including Margaret Wise Brown, Jack Prelutsky, Kevin Henkes and Naomi Shabib Nye. Dan has also had the honor of being invited to the White House to share his books and to participate in the annual Easter festivities.

Dan's also created and produced Nickelodeon's animated series, Oswald, as well as the upcoming Willa's Wild Life.

Currently, Dan is writing and illustrating more books and is developing more television as well as feature film projects.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a whole lot of fun., May 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: An Octopus Followed Me Home (Paperback)

"Can we keep him?" begs a pig-tailed little girl to her pipe-puffing pop. As familiar as this phrase is to millions of parents the world over, the object of her plea is not exactly pet material - a globulous green octopus. Her father's response let's us know that he has been down this road before, as he lists a panoply of pet predicaments that the winsome little lass has already subjected on her family.

The story unfolds in a well-cadenced rhyme that accompanies the off-the-wall illustrations. Yaccarino has a cool, geometric graphic style that evokes the early 1960s. This book is a whole lot of fun.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!, May 30, 2004

By 

Susan L. (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Octopus Followed Me Home (Paperback)

This book is amazing. I taught 2 year olds for years and this was always a favorite. The pictures are simple and bright. It is a great teaching resource. I like to use it as a theme related book during PET week. It flows really well when read outloud. The kids call it the octopus book. If you are looking for a wonderful book to read outloud to your pre-schooler this one is it!

5.0 out of 5 stars book review, May 10, 2011

By 

ErinNU - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Octopus Followed Me Home (Paperback)

Such a great book! I believe it is out of print, so I was very excited to find it. It came exactly how described. Speedy shipping.