Captivating and Playful: Good Thing You're NOT An Octopus Book Review
About this Story
“Imaginative, playful, relatable”
Good Thing You’re Not an Octopus! is seriously such a gem for toddler families 🐙 My neighbor’s kid asks for the “tentacle book” every single night, and I totally get why. Julie Markes paired up with illustrator Maggie Smith to create something pretty clever here.
The story tackles classic toddler power struggles: getting dressed, car seats, and bedtime routines - but with a hilarious twist. Eight legs in pants? Good luck with that! 😂 The little boy considers how different activities would be if he were various animals, from tigers to birds to our favorite eight-armed friend.
Smith’s artwork is absolutely delightful. Those octopus scenes trying to brush teeth or take baths? Pure comedy gold ✨ What I love most is how it naturally leads to kids feeling grateful for being human.
Parents on Goodreads say their kids demand “Again!” after every reading. Teachers use it for creative thinking exercises too - “How would a giraffe eat cereal?” becomes the ultimate classroom discussion starter.
Here’s the sneaky brilliance: it actually makes chores seem easier! When my friend’s daughter complains about putting on shoes, they just mention octopus shoes and suddenly human feet don’t seem so bad 🦶
Perfect for ages 2-6, especially those going through the “I don’t wanna” phase. Check it out at or grab it from Barnes & Noble. Your little one will be giggling about tentacles and feeling pretty good about being themselves! 🌟
Book Features
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Suitable Age: 3 - 7 years old
Reading Levels: Pre-K to 2nd grade
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