Octopus Hug [Paperback]

Laurence Pringle (Author), Kate Salley Palmer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

When their mother goes out for the evening, Jesse and Becky start to bicker, but an "octopus hug" and a bit of horseplay with their father makes the whole family burst out in laughter.

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

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The imaginative antics that tumble across these pages could constitute a manual for bored baby-sitters. When Jesse and Becky's mother goes out for the evening, it's up to Dad to dissipate their disgruntlement. "Do you know what an octopus hug is?" he asks, then demonstrates his all-encompassing hug. Kicking off an evening filled with his special repertoire of games, the ever-grinning Dad, resembling O. J. Simpson with his massive size and lantern jaw, offers to become a tree for climbing, a mechanical horse for riding, a spirited rocking chair, etc. Palmer ( How Many Feet in the Bed ) interprets the festivities rather literally in her soft colored-pencil illustrations; her characters' happy expressions seem plastered onto their faces. And while the book succeeds in presenting an African American father in a warm and engaging role, the one-dimensional, all-action story may leave some readers feeling as if they are simply sitting on the sidelines. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-A celebration of family roughhousing and imaginative play. Becky and Jesse are left with their father while their mother goes out for the evening. They are out of sorts at first, until Dad demonstrates an octopus hug. This leads to a series of active games, such as "timber," in which the youngsters climb on the man's shoulders and he pretends to be a falling tree (letting them land on soft cushions); "left out toys," in which the siblings pretend to be toys and he carries them into their rooms and drops them on their beds; and "monster," in which he pretends to capture them and they escape. This is the kind of physical fun children delight in, but that might cause cautious adults to shudder. Here, the presentation is positive and young listeners will beg their fathers to play the same games. The illustrations, depicting a burly African-American father and his joyous son and daughter, add to the lively feeling of the text. A good choice for Father's Day story times.
Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 1994 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 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (February 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563975599
• ISBN-13: 978-1563975592
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 10 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kate Salley Palmer is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina and was a nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist - winning the Heritage Foundation's Award for Editorial Cartoons in 1980. In the early 90's she began writing and illustrating children's picture books. She has had over 20 published by national and regional publishers, and her latest, Almost Invisible - Black Patriots of the American Revolution, was a 2009 finalist in SIBA's (Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance) Children's Book category. Kate lives in Clemson, South Carolina with her husband, Jim, and their two dogs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun with Dad!, September 9, 2007

By 

M. Havens (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Octopus Hug (Paperback)

Super book to give dads and moms ways to be physically playful with their children! It could help make family life more light-hearted and fun for everyone!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Times, June 24, 2004

By 

SRW "sandeewick" (Oregon City, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Octopus Hug (Paperback)

I have read this book to many elementary school classes. They always enjoy it. Many of these students are from broken homes or have experienced violence from the male figure in their home. This demonstrates such a wonderful father having fun with his children. The kids enjoy dreaming of the fun games played with a great dad, just as this book illustrates.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dad's in Charge! Yay!!!, August 24, 2003

By 

beckyjean "beckyjean" (East Granby, CT) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Octopus Hug (School & Library Binding)

This simple little picture book contains so much warmth, it's a wonder you don't start to sweat a little when you pick it up. "Octopus Hug" is a charming look at the games a father plays with his children when he's left in charge for the evening. The games are wonderfully active -- and interactive. The dad gets down on the floor with Becky and Jesse (the children in the book are actually named after two of Laurence Pringle's own children), pretends to be different animals and objects, and encourages the children to join in. The fun is still going on when the mom returns home, so she gets to experience the games, too.

The illustrations by Kate Salley Palmer put this adorable story over the top. I especially like the way the father is portrayed; he reminds me of a stainless, free-of-murderous-impulses OJ Simpson. His love for his children and his excitement at being able to entertain them are written all over his face.

I've had the pleasure of meeting author Laurence Pringle a couple of times, and this book is a pretty good representation of the man himself; gentle and fun-loving, with a slightly kooky sense of humor. Word has it that a sequel, possibly titled "Bear Hug," is in the works!