Squid and Octopus: Friends for Always [Hardcover]

Tao Nyeu (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 14, 2012 | Age Range: 3 - 5 years | Lexile Measure: 420L (What's this?)

A loyal friend makes every day a happy one

The four tales in this charming picture book show funny moments in the life of best friends Squid and Octopus. Yes, they argue sometimes (about things as silly as whether they should wear mittens or socks to keep their tentacles warm!), but they are always able to cheer each other up in glum times (such as when Squid wakes from the dream of being a superhero and feels disappointed to be plain old Squid again).

They are a very lucky duo. As the fortune cookie in the final story says, they will always have a true friend to count on.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tao Nyeu lives in Southern California.

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 5 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dial (June 14, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803735650
• ISBN-13: 978-0803735651
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 0.5 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #390,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book to share with a few young friends, ages 4 to 8. September 26, 2012

By ReadingVegan

Format:Hardcover

I am a school librarian and chose this book as a read-aloud for the first week of school for my 2nd and 3rd grade classes. They loved it, especially the side conversations going on in the background. Some of the language was new to them, such as "quarrel" and "muse," which afforded opportunities to think about what the words might mean and make inferences based on the story, surrounding words, pictures, or each other's prior knowledge. It's a little tricky as a read-aloud because of the small details and words that are hard to see from far away, though we did have fun with it anyway. It's probably better suited to reading with just a couple of children up close and having them follow along with the words or read the side conversations themselves. There is a lot to discover in the pictures and lots to talk about in each story, making this a great book to share with a special young friend or two.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Whimsy Under the Sea July 18, 2012

By Catherine Nichols

Format:Hardcover

Tao Nyeu presents four short stories in her latest picture book about two BFFs, or make that FFAs (Friends for Always). The first story starts with a spat, as the two friends disagree on a chilly day whether socks or mittens should be worn on tentacles. Not a problem for most readers, but then we're not cephalopods. The second story offers a surprise. When Squids dreams he has X-ray vision, readers get to lift the flap to see what's going on inside a giant submarine cruise ship. Story number three, "The Hat," is the strongest of the bunch. Octopus finds a cowboy boot and decides it's a hat. His confidence in his choice wilts as other sea creatures see the boot as a vase, flowerpot, and doorstop. Luckily Squid shares his friend's vision. In the final story, the pair imagine what the fortune in their cookie holds for them.

Nyeu creates a whimsical world for the friends to inhabit. Her silkscreen illustrations, in subdued pastel hues, are intricate and full of surprises. Beginning readers will pour over the witty details and asides, such as a pair of lobsters gossiping over bowls of soup. ("So I heard Lucy molted the other day." "You don't say!")

Squid and Octopus is a charming addition in the long tradition of fictional duos.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet stories, lovely illustrations September 17, 2012

By New Mom

Format:Hardcover

A quirky book that my 3 year-old loves for bedtime. The illustrations are funny and intricate. A nice change from the usual kid books.