The Octopus

by Guojing

Join a little girl as she discovers the hidden world of her new octopus friend in this stunning wordless picture book by critically acclaimed author-illustrator Guojing.

A little girl goes to the beach with her mother, never expecting the day full of magic and wonder that is ahead of her. When she scoops up a tiny octopus in her small, clear container, and they see each other eye to eye, there’s a spark between them! But a little octopus cannot be happy for long in a container. So the girl sets out to discover what the octopus needs. And that’s when something truly magical happens! Soon, the little girl is on an underwater adventure with her new octopus friend, where she discovers the joy and beauty of the octopus’s world and learns how she can help take care of the ocean in her own way.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Animals, Nature

48 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2026

About the author

Guojing (Jing Guo) is an illustrator and concept artist. Previously she worked in the game and animation industry. She is now a professional illustrator. Her wordless picture book, ‘The Only Child’, a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2015, and a Publishers Weekly Book of 2015, is published by Schwartz and Wade (Random House, Dec, 2015). The story is based on her own experiences as a child. Guojing is also planning her next picture book. She also likes to paint in oils in her spare time. She loves to share her ideas and feelings through her art work.

Offical website: www.guojingart.com

(from http://www.creativeauthors.co.uk/illu...)

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A regular day at the beach turns into something special when a little girl comes across a tiny octopus that she scoops up into a clear container, and that's when something extraordinary happens. As the little girl tries to set the tiny octopus free into the water, she magically becomes the size of the octopus, embarking on an adventure that shows her the beauty and importance of taking care of the ocean, not only for the tiny octopus but also for all the animals that live underwater.

Oh my gosh, this was so cute! Although there isn’t a single word within the story (there is a little note by the author at the end that I highly recommend reading), the illustrations perfectly tell the story of how we should take care of our earth and get to know it a little better. ☺

The pictures really are very beautiful, and the story put a smile on my face because I know little five-year-old me would have LOVED this book! It would’ve probably been one of my favorites, lol! 😂

I definitely recommend this for the little ones in your life! 🐙❤

Thank you to Two Lions and NetGalley for the free arc! All opinions and statements are my own.

#TheOctopus #NetGalley

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

That’s it. Plastic is banned because I’ve just fallen in love with a tiny octopus.

Did this children's book really just hit me with the CUTEST most DARLING illustrations I have literally ever seen, show impacts of trash on marine life (in a light, child-friendly way of course) and promote recycling, all while not saying a single word?

Yes! It did.

I really don’t review children’s books but when I saw this cover and the synopsis of this, I was kind of sold. I wanted to see these pictures.
I was an ocean obsessed child (and currently still ocean obsessed), so, this speaks to me.
It really is just SO cute and meaningful.
Tons of credit to the artist, I think you have outdone yourself.
There are no children in my life for me to show this to, so I will just, stare at it myself.

Thank you to Netgalley, Two Lions and author Guojing for providing me with the eARC of “The Octopus”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: April 22, 2026

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Octopus is an absolutely adorable picture book told through pictures with no words. The pictures are so easy to connect to and follow what is happening throughout the story, and my heart melted on every page reading this.
A little girl is at the beach with her mum when she comes across a tiny octopus entangled in some plastic. She rescues him, and when he awakes, they go on a magical adventure under the sea where she gets to see how he lives, explore, and meet other sea creatures. But the girl also sees the dangers we humans are causing sealife with our rubbish. When she goes back to land and becomes her normal size, she says goodbye to the octopus and walks the beach with her mum, picking up all the litter they can find and recycling it.
This is such a great way to teach young children about recycling, the dangers of littering, how to care for nature and the oceans, and teaches compassion and empathy too. The illustrations are the cutest I've ever seen, and I can't wait to read this author illustrators backlist of books to discover more of their amazing ability in storytelling.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Octopus by Guojing is a text-free picture book about the beauty and wonder of the ocean as well as the dangers of plastic. When a young girl finds and releases a small octopus, she is transformed into a tiny version of herself and can see the ocean as the octopus does. But not everything in the sea is good for the animals.

This is a very cute way to introduce environmental topics into the classroom or the home. We get so many gorgeous pictures with care and detail and then the introduction of plastic bags as something harming that beauty is subtle but effective. It looks like it's not supposed to be there. We say all the time that kids don't care about these kinds of topics, but that's because they are being preached to and taught a lesson and they can tell. I don't think that is the case for The Octopus at all. It's about appreciation of nature first instead of after we talk about the things harming it, which is a more effective method in my experience.

I would recommend this to classrooms with beginner creative writing units so students can practice conveying what they see and young readers learning about the world they inhabit

[Joey Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Two Lions and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

An absolutely stunning wordless book. It takes you on a magic under water adventure with a little girl and her new octopus friend, seeing all the beautiful parts of the sea, and the realities of what damage people can cause to it.

I really enjoyed this, it felt so magical even from the beginning. I loved how she saved the little octopus and then in return it wanted to show her where he lived, sharing his magic and their joint love for shells. It was honestly such a precious book.

You don’t see many books like this anymore wordless stories, where the illustrations alone tell you the story. I’m glad this was a wordless book, it suited the story perfectly. It added so much wonder and magic to the storytelling, you could see each event as it happened, watching as the story unfolded, seeing the magic as it was happening.

The book also comes with a very important message about cleaning up after yourself on the beach, or even picking up litter if you see it. It’s very harmful for the undersea animals and I loved how it was included, shared in the correct way, but not being the only premise of the story.

[Klarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I showed the pictures of the book to my toddler to help me make my review. Despite words not being included in the book she found the pictures something to become engaged and excited over to see. Kept her entertained as we instead decided to discuss the pictures in the book that led us to have a discussion as if the book did have words.

[fatima ☼ ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

the cover was too cute not to request the book. I’d wanna buy this just to stick it on my shelf and display. The illustrations reminded me of The Little Mermaid.

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Octopus by Guojing
Published by Two Lions

Brief Summary
In this wordless picture book, a young girl’s quiet day at the beach turns magical when she befriends a tiny octopus and is drawn into an imaginative underwater world that reveals the beauty of the ocean and the importance of caring for it.

Intended Reader & Appeal
This book is a wonderful fit for imaginative young readers, nature lovers, and children who enjoy gentle, wonder-filled stories. It’s especially appealing to kids who like to linger over pictures and create their own narratives, making it ideal for thoughtful readers and imaginative storytellers. Because it’s wordless, it also works beautifully for reluctant readers, pre-readers, and children who enjoy sharing a story with an adult.

Illustrations & Visual Storytelling
The illustrations are visually stunning—lush, vibrant, and immersive. Guojing uses rich colors and expressive imagery to guide readers through both the real world and a breathtaking underwater fantasy. The ocean scenes feel alive with movement and wonder, while quieter moments between the girl and her mother are warm and tender. The art carries the entire story effortlessly, sparking curiosity and inviting readers to slow down and explore every page.

Voice, Dialogue & Age Authenticity
Although there is no written dialogue, the characters’ emotions and actions feel completely authentic to a young child’s experience. The girl’s curiosity, empathy, and sense of responsibility unfold naturally through her expressions and choices, making her relatable and believable for young readers.

Themes & Discussion Opportunities
This book offers rich opportunities for discussion around imagination, empathy, environmental stewardship, and the relationship between parent and child. It gently introduces the idea that loving nature also means caring for it, making it an excellent springboard for conversations about ocean life, conservation, and respecting animals in their natural habitats.

Recommended Age Range
Best suited for ages 4–8. The visual storytelling is accessible for younger children, while older readers will appreciate the nuance, emotion, and layered meaning in the illustrations. It works well as a read-aloud, a quiet independent “reading” experience, or a shared storytelling activity.

Comparable Titles
Fans of Guojing’s The Only Child or wordless picture books like Journey by Aaron Becker will find much to love here. It’s also a great choice for readers who enjoy visually driven, imaginative stories with gentle emotional depth.

Final Thoughts
The Octopus is a beautifully crafted, wordless picture book that celebrates imagination, connection, and care for the natural world. Visually captivating and emotionally resonant, it’s a standout choice for families, classrooms, and libraries looking for a story that invites wonder and meaningful conversation long after the final page.

I received a complimentary e-copy and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four Point Five Stars
Beautiful, profound story. The story had no words, but the illustrations are beautiful and tell the story of a little girl who goes to a beach and there she finds a magical octopus. What starts as a simple journey to find a home for the octopus, turns into something deep as the little girl learns about how plastic (and other human activities) affect marine life. Beautiful book both for adults and older kids.
Thank you for the eARC Netgalley.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful children’s book about a trip to the seashore that turns into an adventure with an octopus. There are no words with the story so it allows the reader to create their own story. It has several illustrations on each page similar to a magna book.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guojing has created a beautiful story about keeping our oceans clean in this wordless story about a young girl (white presenting with a brown bob and yellow starfish hairclip) who spends a day at the beach.  Everything starts out well as she plays in the sand, until she comes across a tiny octopus washed up and appearing unwell, tangled in plastic bottle rings.  After helping the octopus return to the ocean, the little creature touches the seashell on the girl’s necklace, causing her to shrink to the octopus’s size and go on a magical adventure through the water.  In the end, the young girl returns to her full size on the beach, and says goodbye to her new octopus friend by giving them the seashell from her necklace.  It’s a wonderful story about the beauty of our oceans and how our garbage is hurting the creatures who live there. 

The illustrations are stunning.  Rendered digitally, the soft textures and gentle features give the book a cozy as well as magical feeling.  As this is a wordless picture book, the expressions and perspectives of each image are where the story is told, and Guojing does a great job pulling readers into the sweet expression of our little protagonist and the innocent nature of her new octopus friend.  While some picture books depict pollution with harsh lines and dark colors, Guojing focuses on the facial expressions of the animals to capture the harm done by trash in the ocean.  For example, at one point the girl and octopus are surrounded by a sea of glowing jellyfish.  The scene is full of wonder as the colors are bright and whimsical.  However, on the next page we see a turtle trapped in a plastic bag.  While the colors and lighting have not changed, the distress on the turtle’s face is what creates the off-putting and dangerous feelings of a polluted ocean.  Guojing’s illustrations are beautiful and expressive, and this book is another stunning addition to their work (such as The House That Floated and Stormy). Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Brittanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent, it will be hard to say enough to convey the magic of The Octopus by Guojing. It completely captures the essence and wonder of a child at play, the way their attention shifts, how one small discovery becomes an entire world. It feels so true to childhood.

I absolutely love sharing books like this with my kids. The wordless format invites you to slow down together, notice details, and let your child lead the storytelling. Mine were instantly charmed by the itty-bitty octopus with the sad face. They were overjoyed when the girl carefully made a home for him and even more excited when he perked up again, a shared victory in our living room.

But when the magic necklace transforms her into a tiny creature in the ocean? Genius. Truly. The kids were blown away. I was charmed. Watching her explore the ocean depths, swim alongside the fish, investigate the beautiful ocean floor, and marvel at colourful seashells felt like stepping straight into an imaginative dream come true. It’s immersive in the most gentle, childlike way.

We especially loved the thread of kindness woven throughout the story. From saving the octopus from plastic at the beginning to helping the turtle tangled in a plastic bag later on (I see what you did there), the message is clear without being preachy. It’s compelling and helps little ones begin to understand how to care for the ocean and its creatures in a way that feels natural and heartfelt.

We were genuinely sad when her undersea journey came to an end.

The beautiful wordless art in this book is magic and wonder itself. It’s a blessing to share with your children, and I highly recommend it to any parent looking for a story that sparks imagination, conversation, and empathy.

And don’t skip the octopus fun facts at the end, they were a huge hit in our house! 🐙

So thankful to NetGalley and the publisher Two Lions for letting our family read this eARC before it comes out!

#TheOctopus #NetGalley

[Kay Hertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both kids ADORED this book!

Overall: 5⭐
Plot/Lesson:° NA/5📍
Smiles: 4😁
Illustrations: 5🖌️

Suggested Ages:
Read To: NA
Read By: Anyone with words

Re-read Requests: 3+

Mom's Review:
This story... Wow! For anyone who grew up a fan of the "Good Dog, Carl" series by Alexandra Day, this is for you! Gorgeous, experience drawings, despite having no words, a clear story line.

While I always worry in this day and age about AI drawings scraping real artists work, these looked authentic-ly created. Almost as if done by colored pencil.

This has quickly become a new favorite during reading- and bed-times.

”A's” Review:
I LOVED coming up with stories for all these pretty pictures! I get to make up a new story every time. I really loved the part when the little girl [goes on an adventure].

”C's” Review:
The girl looks like she's my age and we could be friends! I wish I could go with her and play with the cute baby Octopus. "A" and I had so much fun coming up with different adventures for the little girl and the octopus! I love reading this book!

Thank you to Guojing, Two Lions, & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
All opinions are our own.

NOTES:
° = Our Plot/Lesson rating is how well the kiddos picked up on the morals/lessons learned or well received the facts were.
^ = A, read at a 3rd grade level, voracious reader
* = C, knows her letters, and memorizes stories well!

**There might be a few little plot reveals edited to a [generic description in brackets] to keep the surprise. :)
“Quotes”I paraphrase the kids’ opinions 90% of the time, but will call out their direct quotes.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A day at the beach becomes a fantastic adventure for one girl who chooses to help a friend in need. When a young girl and her mother are collecting seashells together, the girl stumbles upon a small octopus who has been caught up in discarded plastic soda can rings. After freeing the small creature, an unexpected interaction invites the child into the ocean’s embrace. Together, the child and the octopus explore the undersea world, learning about both the ocean’s innate beauty and the caution required in order for all life to thrive. This wordless picture book uses images alone to tell a rich and important story celebrating the majesty of the natural world while cautioning against its destruction. Soft textures and pastel hues elegantly capture the natural beauty of the seashore, and readers of all ages will fall into the whimsical world of this story. By using frames, thoughtful placement, and clever design, the author guides the reader’s eye from one moment to the next without the need for words. This presentation invites readers to create stories of their own based on the guidance provided by the illustrations. At the end of the book, an author’s note and octopus facts are included to provide a memorable support for the story. At once a heartfelt exploration of kinship between humans and the natural world and a reminder of nature’s fragility, this story encourages readers to do their part to preserve the environment and cultivate a love of the earth’s creatures. This is a powerful addition to library collections serving young children and their families.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
NetGalley

The Octopus by Guojing is a stunning beautiful, whimsical wordless picture book.

The story is about a little girl playing at the beach with her mother, when she comes across a tiny octopus 🐙 in need.
I will say at first I was not exactly sure what the authors message was at first. Yes there is trash / litter at the beach from humans- that is bad/sad. I thought oh no now she is going to “rescue “ the octopus by keeping it/capture it. Then the octopus touched her seashell necklace and magically the little girl was able to explore the beautiful ocean world as if she was an octopus. Then she returns to her land and sees a recycling bin and she skips in the sunset with her mother.
I do feel the authors message could have been more clear, but I guess that leaves it up to the parent to educate on the importance of caring for the planet .
And reviewing the things we can do to protect the environmental- such as cutting those types of plastics prior to recycling.
I did not realize it would be a wordless picture book- I should have read the description. I can honestly say I saw the cover and loved the art work so I just wanted read and find out for myself what the book was about.
I liked the octopus facts at the end of the story. Personally I would buy art prints from the book, but would not buy the book. I can see how others may want to use the pictures in the book to visually reflect educational content they would be already providing.
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️ - rounded to 4
Thank you to Two Lions and Net Galley for the ARC.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Octopus is a beautiful and meaningful picture book that explores the connection between humans and the ocean, while gently highlighting the impact of pollution on marine life.

The story follows a young girl who goes to the beach with her mother and discovers a baby octopus trapped in plastic. After helping it, she is taken on a magical underwater journey where she witnesses both the beauty of the ocean and the problems it faces because of human waste. I especially loved the focus on plastic pollution, and I have to admit I completely adored the octopus, which made the story even more engaging for me.

The story is told entirely through illustrations, yet it is very clear and easy to follow, perfectly showing what it wants to say without needing any words. The artwork is soft, colourful, and very expressive, with a pastel style that feels calm and inviting, while some underwater scenes use richer tones that really bring the ocean to life. The perspectives and character expressions make each moment feel vivid and immersive.

The message about protecting marine life and keeping beaches clean comes through in a gentle and accessible way for younger readers. It is the kind of book that not only entertains but also encourages children to care for the environment and understand their role in it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Elsie (Happily Ever Elsie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Two Lions for the ARC!

The Octopus is a wonderful tale of a young girl at the beach who meets a new friend and goes on a magical adventure!

I really loved everything about this book. The artwork is truly stunning, and I adore when artists use mixed media in their illustrations. Plus, I really liked the flow of the photos and how the story is wordless. This really includes an early reader in the story and others who might have a harder time with letters. The story and how it's delivered to the reader is really inclusive and age-appropriate and as someone with dyslexia, I can't help but have this endear me to the book even more than I normally would have been.

I also love how without words the plot expresses the idea of conservation not as something that can only happen on a macro level (e.g. the World Wildlife Foundation or the EPA) but on a more micro level with each and every one of us. An act of kindness like our main character does by picking up trash along her adventures with our octopus friend goes a long way if each of us does this.

It also teaches empathy for others, even if they are non-human. Each and every one of us hopefully feels connected to the world around us and wishes to help creatures big and small in little ways.

Five stars overall. I had a great time with this and adore the whimsical illustrations with a great message!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I saw this sweet book on NetGalley with that beautiful cover, I knew I wanted to request it immediately. I’ve never requested a children’s book before on NetGalley, and I’m so glad this happened to be my first!!

THE OCTOPUS by Guojing is an enchanting, magical, and poignant story about a young girl who happens upon a baby octopus (in distress as it we quickly learn) while at the beach, and the book has completely stolen my heart. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this is truly the case with this gem of a book, for there are no words, only illustrations. The story unfolds through what I believe to be some of the most beautiful artwork I’ve ever seen in a book.

I feel that this will be one of the most loved and anticipated children’s books of the year, especially given the touching storytelling and important message it conveys. We are reminded that our carelessness and apathy with regard to nature and all living creatures we share this world with have far-reaching and serious consequences. And our love and care for the environment—its oceans, its animals, its everything—begin at home! I cannot recommend this charming book highly enough.

I want to thank NetGalley, Guojing, and Two Lions for gifting me the ARC of THE OCTOPUS. I truly appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!

[stefiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect to get my eyes so teary reading this book. The Octopus is a wordless picture book that does not need words to touch your soul, gently.
Lately, I have been loving the ocean world a bit more. Nature is so giving, and yet human managed to destroy a lot of part of it. Maybe that's why this book got me emotional.
The friendship between the octopus and the girl were all started because of kindness and compassion that led to a magical adventure without forgetting the core of kindness in their heart. From the surface, this book might be simply about friendship and a reminder to always taking care of our nature. But this is also about saying goodbye and let go and keeping the good memories alive.. That kindness goes a longggg long way and it's like a snowball effect. That rudeness aren't necessary while educating others, but compassion and kindness is.

There are also an educational page about Octopus in this book. Making it perfect for the little reader to learn more about this intelligent creature.

Truly, I adore this book from cover to cover. The illustrations are so dreamy yet lovely and just fit perfectly with everything. I will buy the physical copy for myself when it comes out.

Thank you for creating this book.
And Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc :)

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her typically adorable digital illustrations, Guojing tells the story of a young girl befriending a tiny octopus. In this wordless, graphic novel style picture book, a young girl finds a beached octopus on the beach. She places it in her clear jar with some sand and ocean water to see if it revives. The animal does revive and she returns it to the ocean where she immediately rescues the creature again. This time the animal touches the seashell the girl is wearing around her neck and magic occurs. The girl finds herself shrinking down to the size of the octopus. The two head out on an adventure in the ocean and the girl gets to visit the octopus's den and find a shell that matches the one around her neck. Along the way the girl finds human garbage endangering some of the wildlife around her and gathers it up to throw away when she returns to the beach. The gorgeous art tells the complete story, no words needed as the girl and octopus communicate through actions alone. The themes of caring for the environment and the remarkable adventures that nature offers shine through the magic of the interactions between the characters. A delightful adventure that many young readers will enjoy along with the lovely art. An author's note at the end explains the inspiration behind the story. Highly recommended.

[Louise Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw some children's picture books on Netgalley and thought it would be fun to read them to my 6-year-old daughter to get her opinion.

She absolutely loved The Octopus. The little girl looked just like her, so she said "Her name is Rosie too". Though, as she is learning to read she wished there were words so she could try to read them. She seemed to think that they just forgot the words.

But she still wants her own copy.

The pictures were magical and Rosie was able to figure out the story herself. I did have to prompt her a little when the shadow was there, she was more focused on the sea shells because they looked like they belonged to a certain princess. The message about littering was very clear though it didn't overwhelm the story and my daughter will surely have some opinions going forward.

The whole story reminded me of Ponyo, a Studio Ghibli Film with a similar message. Both are very magical but while most of Ponyo was on land, The Octopus featured the most gorgeously vivid drawings of their adventures under water.

It is a beautiful book and I would love to have some of the illustrations framed on our walls. If you want something you can read with your kids, or they can read themselves, this is the perfect book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little picture book ended up giving us one of those unexpectedly special moments. I started off narrating the pages for my 5yr old, putting the story into my own words. After a few pages, she began adding her own thoughts, matching the pictures in her own way. Halfway through, my 8yr old joined us and before long, we were all contributing.

What started as a simple, slightly tentative story turned into something shared: full of imagination, laughter and their personalities shining through. It became a moment of connection, the three of us building a story together, the kind of memory that will stick with you.

My 5yr old’s favorite was the shiny seashell necklace (no surprise there!). She wanted to be like the jelly fish because they reminded her of fairies.. Or be a shiny magical seashell.

While my 8yr old thought a lot about the plastic that showed up in some of the pages. She felt passionate about wanting to do a beach cleanup and coming up with ways to help keep our oceans clean! Her biggest idea was to have a giant strainer ship (she got her idea from when we strain pasta) that could magically detect plants and animals so they wouldn’t get stuck while it swept the ocean free of garbage.

[Little Batties · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a rare talent to be able to craft a beautiful and heartfelt story without using any words. This is exactly what Guojing was able to do with The Octopus. The vivid illustrations bring the story to life, allowing the observer to travel through the storyline with the characters in it. I am truly at a loss of words.

This story sends a powerful message of treating our planet and everything on it with kindness. It shows the courage of a young girl, trying to do what’s right, and giving new life to a world we don’t always see through the eyes of the animals that live there. The author perfectly captivates attention with this, and it is a thought provoking story that is perfect for people of all ages.

I particularly loved the author’s notes at the end. They are perfect to promote a class discussion (or regular book discussion) about the contents of the book and how it relates to our world now. This is a picture book I would highly recommend to people of all ages, especially if you have a soft spot for animals and a pinch of magic.

Thank you NetGalley and Two Lions for giving me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guojing doesn't disappoint. I've been a fan since Oasis and then discovered I had read The Flamingo and had loved that one. Fast forward to being absolutely blown away by The House That Floated and I am now a superfan and The Octopus is icing on the cake.

A wordless picture book about a girl's connection to an octopus she encounters on the beach that sweeps her into the sea to show what the sea is like before giving her ideas about how to protect the octopuses environment (the hint of environmental activism is lovely).

The colors of nature, the sea, and the characters along with the movement over the course of the picture book are breathtaking.

[Stacey ˗ ღ ˎˊ˗ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning artwork and perfectly delivered message to readers of all ages about the precious sea life which keeps our world in balance and provides us with so much beauty.

Our small protagonist visits the seaside with her caregiver on a sunny day. She finds a little octopus struggling to free itself from plastic sixpack rings, and decides to help by freeing it. She places it in a small glass bowl to recover then returns it to the water, when magic ensues! Follow her lovely journey of discovery and learning as she meets more sea creatures and helps remove the human-generated trash which threatens their safety.

With no language in the book until the last page, this book is ideal for introducing to the very youngest readers, and should engage their senses with the gorgeous soft colors and movement in the art. Older children can be invited to supply their own dialog, and engage with adults about the issue of pollution in our oceans. This would also be a lovely addition to an elder care facility for dementia patients.

Highest recommendation, 5/5. Thank you to Two Lions and NetGalley for the advance copy for review!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all of the books I’ve ever read in all of my life (and there are A LOT), this is my first ever wordless book!

The illustrations are beautiful and whimsical and tell the most amazing story, even without words. I love this concept as it really gives your mind a chance to make up your own story based on the illustrations as you go along. I can imagine it will mean something different to everyone that reads it. How special!

My grandson is a bit young to do that just yet but he certainly loved the colorful pictures of the ocean and ocean creatures 🐢 🐙. I was getting a bit of Finding Nemo and a bit of Moana with the illustrations. And as a beach lover I could read this one over and over. I felt fully transported.

The great messages of respect for animals and recycling are felt throughout along with the magic of the ocean. This book is available now and would be a wonderful addition to any child’s book collection.

Thank you to @mbc_books, @amazonpublishing, and Guojing, who is both the author and illustrator, for the gifted copy.

[Nina - the book bugling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Guojing, Two Lions and NetGalley for a copy of *The Octopus* in exchange for my honest review🐙🌊💜

Publication date: April 22, 2026🗓

When I saw the cover and description of this book, I knew we had to see the pictures and story inside. This was my first Guojing book and I will definitely be checking out her books with my family.

The Octopus is a wonderful and absolutely adorable book! The illustrations are whimsical and done with such perfection that the story and message come through without a single word. There's so much emotion and it speaks loudly of kindness, connection and how our everyday choices affect marine life. The details in the illustrations are amazing!

The story is sweet, thoughtful and quietly impactful, with a message that is so important! Ocean conservation, beach cleanups and marine animals are a big topic in our family, so this was a perfect read for us and one we will be buying to have on our shelf when it's published💜🌊🐙

[Bookmeaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5

Un album sans mots mais pas dénué de fortes émotions et de beaux messages impactants. Un rêve éveillé entre une petite fille et une petite pieuvre, lors d'un séjour à la plage. J'ai vraiment adoré le lire.

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A book without text, yet brimmed with powerful emotions and beautiful, impactful messages. A waking dream-like journey shared between a little girl and a small octopus during a beach vacation.

The style is so soft and dreamy. It felt like Reading a 90's animated movie. It made me emotional, it's so cute, magic and tender. It's like a dream, a child daydreaming and having their imagination, creativity wander and wonder, exploring a lot of subjects like friendship, sharing, the world of the ocean, the beach, summer. It touches ecology, nature, marine life, mentions of human pollution (plastic, bags and fishing nets), recycling. Definitely a good message about ecology,

It made me think of a mix of The Little Mermaid and Finding Nemo. Children who like one or both stories, aesthetics, ocean, fish, sea universes, would definitely enjoy this wonderful, beautiful book.

[⋆｡˚꒰ঌ lexi ໒꒱˚｡⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Two Lions for the opportunity of reading this book!

Such a sweet educational story which addresses the current concern that is trash affecting ocean creature's lil lives. No words were needed to transmit everything the author wanted to, although I think a wordless story would also work as motivation for talking children who read this to create dialogues and narration by themselves. I know my yapper and animal lover little self would've enjoyed this story so much. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, there are no words to describe the level of detail the include, and the colour palette is not oversaturated at all, which guarantees that children will not be overly stimulated by everything.

I need everyone to gather at the beach and start cleaning up so no lil octopus, fish or sea turtle will be bothered by all the trash that ends up there!!!

[Kelly Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer myself, the concept of a book without words was intriguing. What the children's book The Octopus by Guojing reminded me of was the old adage "a picture is worth a thousand words'. This book proves the wisdom of those words, with gorgeous illustrations that tell a wonderful story without one word needed.
Not only does the little girl in the wordless story learn all about the habitat of her new friend the octopus, but she discovers the threat that habitat is under from human activity. And in the end, she is determined to do something about it. It's a lesson all of us, children and adult alike, need to learn.
The beauty of the illustrations is stunning, and with each trip through the book, new details spring out at you.
I'm happy to have received an ARC of #TheOctopus through #NetGalley.