Octopus Stew

A delightful modern tall tale sure to entertain and inspire readers to share (and embroider) their own stories.

Important cultural notes are detailed in the story and pictures through emphasis on art, storytelling, musical instruments, and more.

The oil-paint illustrations effectively convey the story's larger-than-life supernatural elements as well as the protagonists' affectionate relationship; the many shades and features of Afro-Latinx families are displayed, including in a central foldout spread that contains a humorous and effective narrative surprise. 

Ramsey, the young narrator, has a grandmother with a steel will, and when his painting of Super Octo inspires her to make pulpo guisado--octopus stew--there's no dissuading her. Even though it's "not exactly my favorite dish," the boy is admonished first to leave behind his beloved superhero cape ("If you think I am going to the store with you wearing that silly cape, you've lost your mind"), then to stop looking into mollusk facts as he accompanies Grandma to buy a pink octopus the size of a jumbo garbage bag. But when the totally sentient, increasingly enormous, and very angry octopus takes over the kitchen and holds Grandma in one of its eight clutches, a superhero who knows a thing or two about the animal turns out to be just what the occasion calls for. Oil paintings by Velasquez (Looking for Bongo) have a lush, generously sculptural feel--a heightened comic realism that's perfect for this domestic tall tale, its multi-armed nemesis, and the wonderful gatefold twist that occurs at the action's height. An author's note and nonstandard Spanish glossary expand upon Ramsey's Afro-Latino family and traditions of cooking and storytelling. Ages 4-8. Agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (Oct.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

K-Gr 2--Ramsey is an Afro-Latino kid with a robust imagination. As he finishes an oversize painting of an octopus, he inadvertently, and to his despair, inspires his grandmother to cook octopus stew. As soon as they are back from the market with a huge, live cephalopod, Grandma sets an ever bigger pot with boiling water for the unfortunate octopus. From this point on, anything could happen. Pura Belpré and Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe honor winner Velasquez will surprise primary grade readers with a story that is as fascinating and hilarious as it is absurd. The English text intertwines with Spanish phrases that provide a multicultural approach and validates the boy's family background. The vibrant paintings, done in oils, strike the eye with large and expressive characters. The setting is highlighted by shades of blue, mustard, and orange that course throughout the pages and add a lively tone to the story. VERDICT A hilarious read-aloud that could be read during a storytime. The back matter contains author's notes, a glossary of Spanish words used in the book, and a recipe for octopus stew.--Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Velazquez draws a great octopus, the intense primary color palette is wonderfully energized for a group read-aloud, and the story provides an invitation for families to create tall tales together. —The New York Times

★ With love and humanity, Velasquez (Looking for Bongo, Grandma's Gift) once again affirms young Black Latinx boys' identities and family experiences. . . . With the exaggerated detail of a tall tale and the pacing and sound effects ('Bloop, Bloop, Bloop, Brrrr') of oral storytelling, Velasquez depicts an intergenerational tale filled with food, family, humor, and love (fans of Looking for Bongo will find some familiar characters). The oil-paint illustrations effectively convey the story's larger-than-life supernatural elements as well as the protagonists' affectionate relationship; the many shades and features of Afro-Latinx families are displayed, including in a central foldout spread that contains a humorous and effective narrative surprise. —The Horn Book, Starred Review

Realistic oil paintings bring to life the action and excitement of encountering a giant octopus. Important cultural notes are detailed in the story and pictures through emphasis on art, storytelling, musical instruments, and more. Spanish dialogue mixes fluidly into the primarily English text, with a glossary providing definitions and pronunciations of Spanish terms. Happily, Velasquez also includes a recipe for octopus stew. —Booklist

It's just such a nice book with beautiful illustrations and about a kid being a kid—and he's a really cool kid who anyone can identify with. I wish I had books like that to read to my sons, and I definitely wish I had something like that to read when I was a kid. —Jerry Craft, author of New Kid