The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure

by Thor Hanson, Galia Bernstein (Illustrator)

When Inky the octopus slipped out of his tank at the National Aquarium in New Zealand, his audacious escape made headlines around the world. Biologist Thor Hanson’s funny, informational text and Galia Bernstein’s illuminating, humorous pictures showcase the intelligence and curiosity of the octopus. For fans of Yoshi and the Ocean and Star and the Maestro. Features back matter.

A rock. A pot. Some sand. A light. And those same four walls, day in and day out. Inky the octopus has only ever known his tank at the aquarium in New Zealand. Understimulated and craving answers, he watches the people walk by and wonders where they go—until one fateful day when the lock on his tank is left unlatched. Inky escapes, and miraculously makes his way into a drainpipe and out to the ocean.

Inky’s story is all true—there really was an octopus who escaped the National Aquarium in New Zealand and returned to the sea, becoming a viral sensation in 2016. Award-winning author and biologist Thor Hanson’s rhyming text is funny, engaging, and informative and highlights the innate intelligence of octopuses. Galia Bernstein’s vibrant, tentacle-filled artwork is the perfect complement, capturing Inky’s curiosity, intelligence, and resourcefulness. Extensive back matter includes information about octopuses, aquariums, and the real Inky’s escape.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Animals, Science, Stem, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

Thor Hanson is a Guggenheim Fellow, a Switzer Environmental Fellow, and winner of the John Burroughs Medal. His books include CLOSE TO HOME, HURRICANE LIZARDS AND PLASTIC SQUID, BUZZ, THE TRIUMPH OF SEEDS, FEATHERS, THE IMPENETRABLE FOREST, and the children's favorites THE ESCAPE ARTIST, STAR & THE MAESTRO, AND BARTHOLOMEW QUILL . Learn more at his website (www.thorhanson.net), or connect for a conversation at Skolay (www.skolay.com/writers/thorhanson).

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and very informative.

[Dawn-Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ❤️octopuses and what they can do. This is a reminder of how clever they are!

[Shella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember a picture book called the Gentle Giant Octopus- I read that over and over to my son. I could not resist picking up this one many years later. I loved that this was based on a true story. Great illustrations-I could feel the octopus movements through the pages.

[Jim Shaner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The imaginative storytelling and beautiful paintings reached out and held my attention! Very informative book.

[Madeleine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the octopus facts in the back matter, but unfortunately I found the rhyme scheme distracting more often than not.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conservation biologist Thor Hanson and picture book author and artist Galia Bernstein join forces in this entertaining and informative look at a famous octopode escape artist. Held at the National Aquarium in New Zealand, Inky was a playful, inquisitive creature, and very, very intelligent. Hanson's rhyming text describes how he escaped from his tank one night, making his way through the aquarium to a drain, and from there to freedom in the nearby sea. The book closes with a section giving more information about Inky and about octopodes in general...

I well recall the news stories about Inky, back in 2016 when he made his break for freedom, and have since read and greatly enjoyed author Sy Montgomery and illustrator Amy Schimler-Safford's non-fiction picture book about the subject, Inky's Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home . I believe there are a number of other picture books on the subject as well—picture books do have their trends, and multiple titles about the same subject will often spring up in close succession—but I have not sought them out. In any case, when I discovered Hanson and Bernstein's The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure, I did immediately seek it out. Although unfamiliar with Hanson's work (most of his books are written for adults), I am very familiar with Bernstein, whose own picture book, I Am a Cat , is a personal favorite. I didn't realize, when requesting the book, that it wasn't a strictly informative account, but rather, a storybook in rhyme. That surprise was a welcome one though, as I found Hanson's rhyming text read well, and would make for an excellent story-time selection, while the accompanying artwork, created using watercolor and digital elements, was lovely. I think this would pair very nicely with the Montgomery/Schimler-Safford title, the one offering an entertaining entree to the story, the other a more informative exploration. Recommended to all octopode enthusiasts, and to anyone seeking fun picture books in rhyme.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are incredible! Such attention to detail. The signs next to the tanks are accurate text - my eyes were too old to read the text even with reading glasses, but my 11 year old read them to me. The full color view of the octopus in the tank while the aquarium patrons are all in a blue-tinged black and white led to great conversations about what it would be like to be in a tank. There was so much to talk about in these pictures. The rhyming text was good, but the illustrations make this picture book!! This would make a great read aloud with big, bold illustrations. I also enjoyed the facts at the end.

Older or deep thinking children may ask about Inky's escape. My son was pretty stuck about how we know he escaped safely. Yes, the pipe led to the ocean, but no one saw him again so how do we know for sure he made it? Quite a bit of googling left us with no more certainty that he made it other than circumstantial evidence that a trail of water led to the drain pipe and the drain pipe led to the sea.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mini Aloha: Octopus are really smart! He had lots of questions and wanted to find the answers so he escapes for an adventure. We learned lots of cool things at the end like they have three hearts!

Momma Aloha: The Escape Artist was a beautifully illustrated picture book based on the true story of an escaped octopus in New Zealand. A very quick read to keep little minds focused while including fun facts at the end, some already known and others brand new to us. The brief story at the end of the true story for background was an added bonus.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling picture book about Inky, a Māori octopus, who escaped from the National Aquarium of New Zealand. It was obvious to his keepers that Inky was smart, but this bold escape completely surprised them. They were especially amazed that the drain he used for his escape led to the sea. How did Inky know this? A fascinating true story that is sure to inspire interest in octopuses.

From the authors, back matter:
“While they all missed inky when he left, everyone felt glad that he could live the rest of his life as a wild octopus again.”

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who loved Remarkably Bright Creatures or younger audiences, this book is not be be missed. It too is about a clever octopus on the lam. Inky is a resident of the National Aquarium on Hawke Bay in New Zealand, who decides on a life of freedom outside of his assigned tank. Nicely illustrated, with some useful facts about octopuses (octopodes? octopi?) by author and biologist Thor Hanson.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on a well-known true story about an octopus escape artist that lived in an aquarium. It features rhyming text and nice imagery that help bring the story to life and keep young listeners engaged. The rhythm makes it especially effective for reading aloud. This would be an excellent choice for a school or library storytime, particularly for encouraging participation and discussion.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this factual story that actually occurred in an aquarium in New Zealand, but what I really enjoyed was the info on the book flap and the two additional pages of information. Two thousand suction cups, nine brains. and blue blood plus more.
This title has me seeking more factual information about octopi.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations really stole the show, and the rhyming wasn’t distracting, and led to the whimsical feel of the story. I guess my only complaint is that the narrative doesn’t explain that inky the octopus was caught from the wild, and you have to find that out in the back matter, but might’ve led to a much stronger Narrative.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hanson offers a look at Inky's life at the aquarium and how he made his way back to the sea. We meet Inky in his tank and see his life there. There is plenty of room for him but his brain is still curious about life beyond the tank. He escapes from his tank and finds a way to escape from the building too.
I appreciate how Hanson weaves information through the story text.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhyming! Lovely rhyming. Must read aloud! Oh so much fun and TRUE! How cool is Inky. The story of Inky's escape to the wilds is the very stuff of life (think: Nemo). This book will never stay on the shelf. Buy it now.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight, with wonderful illustrations and a fun, bouncy rhyme. Octopuses are incredible, and incredibly smart creatures, and this book reminds readers young and old of their abilities with a true story of one named Inky!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun STEM picture book. Would be a great read aloud for early elementary, but it is a little complex for preschool and kinder. I love Galia Bernstein -- her illustrations are right on. The little bit of backmatter is fun and helpful, and includes a photograph of the real Inky!!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the true story of a smart octopus in New Zealand who escaped and left its enclosure through a drain, this picture book has an engaging rhyme scheme and great background information at the end.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great animal story that makes for a nice little episode. It's nice to know Inky lived after his escape. The back matter was fascinating and the illustrations were really expressive even though a fair bit is Inky being unable to leave.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story written by a conservation biologist but there is nothing boring or dry about this picture book. Inky the Octopus lives in a tank and escapes to the ocean. Well paced, well paced and full of action, Inky's story is fun and great for reading aloud.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful true story, told with vivid illustrations and a surprisingly effective rhyme scheme. This will appeal to school-age kids, and it's also great for littles, since the text is so simple. There's additional information about octopuses in the back as well.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting true story about an octopus that escaped from the National Aquarium of New Zealand. Readers will wonder about the ending--how do the keepers know the octopus made it back to the sea once it went down the drain? Was it wearing a tracking device?

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Story
Back Matter
Rhyming
Fantastic Illustrations
Great Read-a-loud

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story. The book is simple enough for young children to read with lots of colorful illustrations.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and educational! I love learning about animals! Recommended for a kid of any age who loves to learn about sea creatures!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cool story of an octopus who escapes from his tank, told in rhyming verse. I think kids will love this true story and be surpriesed by the octopus's abilities. Good back matter to round it out.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5 year old was fascinated by this octopus. The writing was clever and just enough cadence to it to make it an extra enjoyable read.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it would be more factual.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inky manages to escape his aquarium tank. So easy for him.
Two end pages give more delightful facts about octopuses.

[DaNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not first book I’ve read about Inky the octopus and I’m not sure I need more than the one we already have, but this one would make a decent read aloud. I love the illustrations.