Izzy & Oscar
by Allison Estes (Author)
Have you ever taught an octopus to roll over? It's harder than it looks. Discover why octopuses make the best pets in this charming picture book about friendship and embracing individuality!
Izzy has always wanted a pet. So when an adventurous octopus squiggles into town, Izzy decides to keep him. After all, a real pirate captain has to have a mascot. Oscar is not very good at going for walks or playing fetch. (Although he is amazing at hide and seek). And he's definitely not like other pets... But he is just right for Izzy.
Readers will be tickled by Izzy's attempts to teach Oscar to behave like a dog, a parrot, a pony-and gratified by Izzy's realization that in the end we love others for who they are...eight arms and all!
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Publishers Weekly
Izzy and her friends are in the middle of a serious pirate phrase. "Call me Izzy," she says, opening the book in Melvillean fashion. "It's only Isabel if I am in trouble. And the captain is never in trouble." Izzy's friends already have their own pirate animal mascots, and Izzy finds hers in a purple octopus named Oscar. Dockray (Sweet Baby Feet) draws Oscar with a semblance of naturalistic detail, but Estes and Stark are in it for the laughs as Izzy tries to train Oscar. "He was pretty good on the leash. Mostly," they write as Oscar all but glues himself to the door of a sushi restaurant. And, later, Oscar parlays a heroic swimming-pool rescue into a gig as "the best lifeguard ever," complete with whistle and sunglasses. Offsetting the comedy, the authors conclude with a list of 12 octopus facts, noting the animal's camouflage and regenerative abilities. It's a goofy, good-natured story of a decidedly nontraditional pet. Because, as Izzy explains, "A traditional pet does not squoosh out black ink all over everything. And your mother." Ages 4-8. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (Apr.)
Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2—Izzy, the pirate captain, has always wanted a pet. One day, she and her friends stumble upon a rather nontraditional pet, an octopus, whom she names Oscar. He eats too much and inks her mom, but when a man goes overboard, Oscar comes to the rescue, saving Izzy and another friend who can't swim. This exciting story is full of rich vocabulary, beautiful pencil and dye illustrations, and belly-laugh humor that young children will love. The images are colorful and eye-catching, while not overpowering. The characters' facial expressions are funny and speak volumes. The back of the book also contains a list of fun "Octofacts." Izzy & Oscar has the potential to appeal to children of all genders, while offering girl empowerment through Izzy's pirate captain narrative; she's a young and quirky, modern-day Anne Bonny. This title would make a great segue into a STEM discussion on animal camouflage and octopi traits. VERDICT A good addition to any library or classroom collection, making for a fun read aloud or independent reading selection.—Kaitlin Connors, Virginia Beach Public Library
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
"Dockray's lively illustrations portray the action and add to the humor of this cheery, unusual pet story...a grand addition to any pet-themed read-aloud session. " - Kirkus
Octupuses as pets
