What if an Octopus Followed Me Home? by Pamela D. Beverly

This is my first time reviewing a children's book, so be patient with me. I also got my mom's thoughts a bit as she is a second grade teacher and thus her students could be reading this story.

I loved the illustrations of this book and appreciated the message that Pamela D. Beverly was trying to get across of how to be a good friend and care for others' needs, however it got slightly altered with the wordiness of the story.

This book is about a young boy, Julius, who befriends an octopus and decides to bring "Mack" back to his home. Julius soon finds out that Mack cannot live in a house like he does and has some very specific needs to live a happy and comfortable life. Julius and his mom try to find different solutions but ultimately realize Mack should be with other octopuses and in a native habitat. It's wonderful that Julius befriends Mack even though he looks very different and at first doesn't even see his differences. That is a great message to young children to accept everyone as they are. However, later in the story, the message gets muddled. For example, there is a moment where a character tells Julius even though Mack is not like you, you were there for him. This points out the difference in a more glaring light and almost makes the friendship temporary.

Another thing I noticed is that this book is very wordy, a bit too wordy for the age group it is targeting of 3-6. I think if it had been edited a bit further, the message would have actually come through clearer as I got a bit muddled in the beginning and end with the long pages in order to make everything rhyme.

The other situation I had a slight issue with is that Julius and his mother bring Mack to an aquarium rather than the sea, because the sea is <i>too far</i>. I understand it's so Julius can still see him more often and there are other octopuses in the aquarium, but if Julius found Mack elsewhere and his real home is the sea, he should really be returned to the sea. (Also, where did Julius find Mack to begin with? We will never know...)

Again, I could see where the author was trying to go with her message, but I myself got confused a bit which makes me think a child would be even more confused. A good first try at a children's book, and I'd be interested to read more stories from her in the future.

**I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis What would you do if on your way home from school, you made friends with an octopus?

That's what happened to Julius Jackson, an eight year-old boy, who noticed a little octopus following him home.

Julius makes friends with a little octopus, who he calls Mack. His mother is shocked but Julius thinks that Mack is lost and alone and needs a friend.

Watch what happens when he brings little Mack home. Would you do the same if it were you?

View my Review on Goodreads