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Octavio
Curious Octavio is not your average young octopus. Instead of staying hidden in his coral reef, his nosiness gets the better of him, and he pops out to observe the divers who are observing him! Told in hilarious mockumentary style, this is the tale of Octavio and his octopus “superpowers”—including his talent for getting out of tight situations!
Scuba diver and debut author illustrator Dustin Resch shares the charming story of a little octopus who hitches a ride on a diver’s tank and goes on an unexpected adventure.
Scuba diver and debut author illustrator Dustin Resch shares the charming story of a little octopus who hitches a ride on a diver’s tank and goes on an unexpected adventure.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Library Binding
Published January 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 6, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
This is a super cute children's book written as if Octovio was starring in a nature documentary. He (going with he because it is generally a male name, but there is no gender given in the book) is talking to the audience throughout the book. The narrator is trying to give facts about the species, and Octavio is taking a ride on a scuba diver's back. I was thinking about how crazy that would be if that happened, and then started wondering how Octavio would pronounce penguin (if you have no idea what I am talking about, look up Benedict Cumberbatch and penguin).
This is a great book and absolutely would recommend it. If I was still working in early childhood, I would buy a copy of this for the classroom. It would be a great resource for the ocean unit!
This is a super cute children's book written as if Octovio was starring in a nature documentary. He (going with he because it is generally a male name, but there is no gender given in the book) is talking to the audience throughout the book. The narrator is trying to give facts about the species, and Octavio is taking a ride on a scuba diver's back. I was thinking about how crazy that would be if that happened, and then started wondering how Octavio would pronounce penguin (if you have no idea what I am talking about, look up Benedict Cumberbatch and penguin).
This is a great book and absolutely would recommend it. If I was still working in early childhood, I would buy a copy of this for the classroom. It would be a great resource for the ocean unit!
February 9, 2026
So many colorful octopuses!!!
This book is about Octavio, a curious octopus, tagged along with divers. Along Octavio's adventures, we got the fun facts about octopuses. Smart and adaptable octopuses.
My son loved all animals, octopus included. He already knew the facts about octopuses mentioned in this book. But he still enjoyed this book because of Octavio was kinda silly, he said. He was also amazed when at the end of the book I told him that the author really experienced everything written in this book. He said he wants to be a marine researcher when he grows up. Or a diver.
Thank you to Dustin Resch, Capstone, Capstone Editions, and NetGalley for the ARC.
This book is about Octavio, a curious octopus, tagged along with divers. Along Octavio's adventures, we got the fun facts about octopuses. Smart and adaptable octopuses.
My son loved all animals, octopus included. He already knew the facts about octopuses mentioned in this book. But he still enjoyed this book because of Octavio was kinda silly, he said. He was also amazed when at the end of the book I told him that the author really experienced everything written in this book. He said he wants to be a marine researcher when he grows up. Or a diver.
Thank you to Dustin Resch, Capstone, Capstone Editions, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up
This is a unique, springboard title to octopuses for the young. The humor and mentions of predators place this title with an early elementary-age audience. The colorful illustrations are playful with a mix of text and speech bubbles. The book starts off with a narrator introducing a TV show with a Caribbean reef octopus appearing "on screen". It is necessary to read the print from the top to bottom on each page, in order to follow along with the flow of the narrator's facts and the comical exclamations of titular Octavio.
An image of an octopus's beak at the end (there is one at the beginning) or a simple diagram of an octopus would have added to the understanding of how Octavio was able to escape a scary situation towards the end. On the last page, I appreciated learning the origin of the book along with the creator's artistic and scuba diving expertise. A delightful debut for current and future cephalopod-enthusiasts.
Thanks to Capstone and NetGalley for the e-galley.
My reviews and ratings are my own.
This is a unique, springboard title to octopuses for the young. The humor and mentions of predators place this title with an early elementary-age audience. The colorful illustrations are playful with a mix of text and speech bubbles. The book starts off with a narrator introducing a TV show with a Caribbean reef octopus appearing "on screen". It is necessary to read the print from the top to bottom on each page, in order to follow along with the flow of the narrator's facts and the comical exclamations of titular Octavio.
An image of an octopus's beak at the end (there is one at the beginning) or a simple diagram of an octopus would have added to the understanding of how Octavio was able to escape a scary situation towards the end. On the last page, I appreciated learning the origin of the book along with the creator's artistic and scuba diving expertise. A delightful debut for current and future cephalopod-enthusiasts.
Thanks to Capstone and NetGalley for the e-galley.
My reviews and ratings are my own.
February 8, 2026
Octavio introduces readers to this cute little octopus as we're brought through a journey under the sea and learning about octopi. This story is written as though the narrator and readers are watching Octavio, our little octopus, on this journey in a documentary-esque style that is fun and engaging. What is most intriguing about the way this is written is that Octavio is interacting with the narrator and audience, making it feel as though you are with him on this adventure.
It is a super sweet story, filled with information on octopi that I can see being utilized in a great way in the classroom. The way Dustin Resch chose to tell the story makes it fun and engaging; it is something I can see little ones loving, whether it is being read to them or they are reading it on their own. And, with any luck, it will make them want to research different species of octopi on their own.
Thank you NetGalley and Capstone for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is a super sweet story, filled with information on octopi that I can see being utilized in a great way in the classroom. The way Dustin Resch chose to tell the story makes it fun and engaging; it is something I can see little ones loving, whether it is being read to them or they are reading it on their own. And, with any luck, it will make them want to research different species of octopi on their own.
Thank you NetGalley and Capstone for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2026
This is a cute story about a curious, outgoing octopus who finds himself in a predicament a little too far from home. I thought this book had some great facts about octopuses, even some I didn't know. There is some humor and the book is told in a way where you feel like you are on the adventure with Octavio. I think kids would really get into going on his journey and staying interested until he solves his problem. It says this book is for 5-8, but I think a child as young as 2 could enjoy this. The illustrations are bright and fun! Overall, I think this would be a great story for most kids, especially ones that love the ocean!
Thank you Dustin Resch and Capstone for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
Thank you Dustin Resch and Capstone for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book via NetGalley! This review was written voluntarily and all opinions are my own.
December 23, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Octavio by Dustin Resch is a delightful, humorous read that follows the curious and bold octopus, Octavio. He has no hesitation in swimming up to scuba divers to say hello. The story is told from Octavio’s funny perspective, with a mockumentary-style twist. Readers follow his nearly accidental venture to land, definitely a close call!
This book is engaging, humorous, and informative. I absolutely loved Octavio's personality, which adds a light touch to the tricky situations he finds himself in. The bright, eye-catching illustrations make this debut book a solid read, and it’s based on a true story!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for providing access to the e-arc. All opinions in this review are my own.
Octavio by Dustin Resch is a delightful, humorous read that follows the curious and bold octopus, Octavio. He has no hesitation in swimming up to scuba divers to say hello. The story is told from Octavio’s funny perspective, with a mockumentary-style twist. Readers follow his nearly accidental venture to land, definitely a close call!
This book is engaging, humorous, and informative. I absolutely loved Octavio's personality, which adds a light touch to the tricky situations he finds himself in. The bright, eye-catching illustrations make this debut book a solid read, and it’s based on a true story!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for providing access to the e-arc. All opinions in this review are my own.
September 16, 2025
"Octavio" by Dustin Resch is a colorful picture book for children featuring an adorable octopus named Octavio.
This story is sure to keep little ones engaged with its colorful images and interesting narrative style (the narrator speaks as though the reader is watching a documentary that features the octopus main character). Towards the back of the book there is also a useful informational guide on octopi for parents and educators.
I would absolutely recommend this book for the little ones in your life.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dustin Resch, and Captsone for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is sure to keep little ones engaged with its colorful images and interesting narrative style (the narrator speaks as though the reader is watching a documentary that features the octopus main character). Towards the back of the book there is also a useful informational guide on octopi for parents and educators.
I would absolutely recommend this book for the little ones in your life.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dustin Resch, and Captsone for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2025
Octavio by Dustin Resch
I found out a lot of things I did not know about octopuses. This book is very informative on what an octopus can do.
Octavio is a curious little guy. While the narrator of the book is talking Octavio is asking questions or answering them. When a group of divers show up, he decides to hitch a ride with them until they go back to the ship.
The end of the book has some fun facts for children to read.
This is a must have book for any person who is into octopuses.
The illustrations are colorful and expressive.
I hope the author continues with more books about Octavio.
I found out a lot of things I did not know about octopuses. This book is very informative on what an octopus can do.
Octavio is a curious little guy. While the narrator of the book is talking Octavio is asking questions or answering them. When a group of divers show up, he decides to hitch a ride with them until they go back to the ship.
The end of the book has some fun facts for children to read.
This is a must have book for any person who is into octopuses.
The illustrations are colorful and expressive.
I hope the author continues with more books about Octavio.
January 10, 2026
This is an absolutely delightful book about a very inquisitive octopus and a great adventure that he goes on!
Filled with fantastic illustrations and a story about adventure, but also about staying safe [and being brave], with fun notes at the end, this will be a book littles will love to return to and can use to create their own adventures using their imaginations!
Just fantastic!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dustin Resch, and Capstone/Capstone Editions for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with fantastic illustrations and a story about adventure, but also about staying safe [and being brave], with fun notes at the end, this will be a book littles will love to return to and can use to create their own adventures using their imaginations!
Just fantastic!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dustin Resch, and Capstone/Capstone Editions for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2026
This book is written like a documentary. Actually, it’s written like those old 1950s 1960s Disney shorts like Goofy learning to swim. Where the narrator is telling the character what they should be doing and the character isn’t listening. That is Octavio, except it’s with an octopus. This is a debut picture book by the author, and he bases the story on an irrelevant that happened to him on vacation. This story was lovely for a debut. It’s still a bit raw but with more practice I think the author has the ability to grow bigger in this arena.
September 20, 2025
Thank you Capstone and NetGalley for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a cute, easy to read and follow story of a n adorable octopus who finds himself in a precarious situation. Using his smarts, he finds his way back home.
I loved the illustrations and the ease at which I was able to read this to my infant son. He loved the pictures!
I especially liked the facts at the end!
This was a cute, easy to read and follow story of a n adorable octopus who finds himself in a precarious situation. Using his smarts, he finds his way back home.
I loved the illustrations and the ease at which I was able to read this to my infant son. He loved the pictures!
I especially liked the facts at the end!
October 8, 2025
What a cute book.
I love the creativeness by the author in using a documentary-style dialogue interlaced with humor by the curious and friendly Octavio the octopus. I love that this children’s book is based on a true story and has a fact page at the end. The whole time I was reading to myself I thought “wow, this would be a great book to read aloud to a class”.
Well done on your book debut Mr. Reach!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
I love the creativeness by the author in using a documentary-style dialogue interlaced with humor by the curious and friendly Octavio the octopus. I love that this children’s book is based on a true story and has a fact page at the end. The whole time I was reading to myself I thought “wow, this would be a great book to read aloud to a class”.
Well done on your book debut Mr. Reach!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 6, 2025
What a delight! In the guise of a narrated ecology documentary, readers watch a curious and adventurous young octopus leave his home coral reef when he spots exploring scuba divers. Riding piggyback, Octavio is carried far from his home, but employs the resourcefulness so much a part of the species!
September 7, 2025
Super fun, informative and engaging picture book!
This book is written in a documentary-narrator style, with funny little comments from Octavio the octopus throughout! Funny without being crass. Superb illustrations. Likely to be a favorite for many young kiddos!
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and eARC of this book! All thoughts expressed are my own.
This book is written in a documentary-narrator style, with funny little comments from Octavio the octopus throughout! Funny without being crass. Superb illustrations. Likely to be a favorite for many young kiddos!
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and eARC of this book! All thoughts expressed are my own.
September 14, 2025
My daughter loved this story! She was a bit scared but said he was going to be ok. I loved the story and all the octopus facts. Then the added facts at the end were a perfect way to finish this book. Illustrations were cute too, not too distracting for young kids. Octavio was super curious and brave just trying to make some new friends and teach them about ocean animals.
September 17, 2025
This book found the cutest way of being informative. The storytelling was straightforward and provided facts with a great comparison of how an octopus lives in contract to humans. The illustrations are beautiful and calming. The speech bubbles are a great introduction to comics for young readers.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!
Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!
September 19, 2025
Four Point Five Stars
Beautiful, fun and informative story of Octavio who finds some scuba divers who are trying to observe him. Through Octavio we learn a lot about Octopuses (it is a Latin thing!) and also about whether things go back to normal for Octavio. The illustrations were vibrant and eye-catching. Enjoyable fun read for older kids.
Thank you for the ARC Netgalley.
Beautiful, fun and informative story of Octavio who finds some scuba divers who are trying to observe him. Through Octavio we learn a lot about Octopuses (it is a Latin thing!) and also about whether things go back to normal for Octavio. The illustrations were vibrant and eye-catching. Enjoyable fun read for older kids.
Thank you for the ARC Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An enchanting book. I loved Octavio the octopus. The story was engaging as well as all the facts about an octopus. Amazing illustrations. Inspired by a true experience. Highly recommend. I would love to read more by this author.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
September 7, 2025
Thank you for the ARC. My son really enjoyed the Octupus in this book. He’s a little young to learn and understand but it’s great for a bit older kids and presented in a fun way. The illustrations were also great and engaging.
September 15, 2025
Octavio (Library Binding)
by Dustin Resch
A story about the beautiful world of octopus, the idea of their adaptation and habitation. The book shows young reader the importance of conservation. The children learn aspects of the adaptation that octopus have in their own aquatic environment.
by Dustin Resch
A story about the beautiful world of octopus, the idea of their adaptation and habitation. The book shows young reader the importance of conservation. The children learn aspects of the adaptation that octopus have in their own aquatic environment.
September 20, 2025
This book is great! It’s very interactive, with impressive art & filled with interesting facts. This is a great way to get kids to learn awesome facts about octopuses in a very engaging way.
Thank you NetGalley, Dustin Resch & Capstone Editions for this great ebook ARC.
Thank you NetGalley, Dustin Resch & Capstone Editions for this great ebook ARC.
November 5, 2025
A really cute book with great information along the way. My five year old loved it! We enjoyed reading this one. And of course lots of questions at the end. We’ve read so many times.
With so much thanks to NetGalley and to the publisherCapstone of this amazing book arc.
With so much thanks to NetGalley and to the publisherCapstone of this amazing book arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Octavio is a blast to read! It delivered on laugh and education at the same time which had me and the kiddos loving every moment. It will be read again and again and again!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
Octavio isn't like the other octopuses. He's adventurous, outgoing and brave. Until he accidently gets taken to the surface. Will he make it home ok? A cute little picture book.
Octavio isn't like the other octopuses. He's adventurous, outgoing and brave. Until he accidently gets taken to the surface. Will he make it home ok? A cute little picture book.
September 15, 2025
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion:
This is a charming book that teaches young readers about Octopuses, their unique traits, and their habitats.
This is a charming book that teaches young readers about Octopuses, their unique traits, and their habitats.
September 16, 2025
Cute story about a friendly octopus. The artwork was beautiful and I enjoyed the humor spread throughout. I would have liked to see a little more to the story. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
October 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this before publication.
This was such a cute little story my little one LOVED it.
“Hi, I’m Octavio! I’m an octopus.”
This was such a cute little story my little one LOVED it.
“Hi, I’m Octavio! I’m an octopus.”
February 6, 2026
Beautiful artwork and sweet, sweet story. Octopuses are amazing creatures, and Octavio does a wonderful job giving young readers a window into that world.
March 5, 2026
Publisher delay/
Took a while to get this book/
Still… well worth the wait
Whimsical subject/
Taught my toddler tons about/
Ocean life and such
Took a while to get this book/
Still… well worth the wait
Whimsical subject/
Taught my toddler tons about/
Ocean life and such
April 13, 2026
Such a fun read aloud, and a great chance to improve my David Attenborough impression
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews