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Onze octopus

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Op een doodgewone dag ziet de buurvrouw ineens iets raars op het dak: een enorme, oogverblindende, neon roze octopus! Eerst probeert de brandweer hem van het dak af te spuiten, maar dan blijkt dat het eigenlijk heel handig en gezellig is om een octopus op je dak te hebben. Met zijn acht tentakels is hij een geweldige voetballer, helpt hij met de was en het zoeken van kwijtgeraakte spullen, veegt hij blaadjes aan en… hij is een geweldige glijbaan. Alle buren worden jaloers, zij willen ook een octopus! Of een inktvis, dat is ook goed.

26 pages, Hardcover

First published July 2, 2022

105 people want to read

About the author

Peter Bently

170 books46 followers
Peter Bently is married with two children, and lives in south England. He studied languages at Oxford University and has written over 40 titles, one of which led to him being awarded the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011.

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5 stars
174 (44%)
4 stars
138 (35%)
3 stars
69 (17%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Stephanie Tournas.
2,804 reviews41 followers
August 27, 2022
A kid describes what happens when a giant fluorescent orange octopus lands on their house and cannot be moved away. In whimsical rhyming text (you find out what rhymes with octopus!) readers see that the octopus is a great friend to the kids and families in the neighborhood. It plays soccer, rescues lost kites, rakes leaves and even decorates itself with lights for Christmas. Even the neighborhood busybody becomes fond of the creature. When the octopus leaves, “…we all felt glum. We missed our massive, eight-legged chum.” But there’s a happy ending – the octopus returns, with friends!

The interracial family, biracial kids, diverse neighbors and appealing seaside town are portrayed with delightful digital art. The octopus is a friendly beast sure to thrill readers. The book is fun to read aloud, because the octopus is, “something quite spectacular, miraculous, tentacular..”
Profile Image for Cyndee.
203 reviews6 followers
October 12, 2022
I recently finished "Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel" and am in the middle of an Octy Obsession!

This book is beyond adorable - the story and the illustrations are a match made in heaven.
But, the dedication to the puppy elevated the book even that much more! ♥
58 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2020
https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2...

A giant octopus living on top of your house? How absurd I hear you say! Yet, in the brilliantly upbeat rhyming book the initial shock of the surprise visitor soon becomes the new normal. And, by the time you finish this book you'll be wanting one on your roof too!
When an octopus makes itself at home on a coastal village rooftop, there are mixed reactions from the villagers. It looks like things are not going to work out well until the neighbourhood children discover what a great playmate an octopus can be. Soon, the octopus' eight tentacles become invaluable to everybody...until the octopus disappears as suddenly as it arrives. Will their friend ever come back? And if it does, will their be another shock in store?
This was an instant hit with all of my three children. A colourful octopus on a roof, perfectly portrayed by Steven Lenton's fantastically detailed illustrations, was a concept too irresistible to miss out on. Peter Bently's flawless, fast-paced rhythm sweeps you up as fast as an octopus' tentacle and whizzes you through an exhilarating narration of a story that is as delightful as it is unique.
The simplicity of the plot is genius. In a time of uncertainty and upheaval, it promotes the importance of friendship, community and difference whilst remaining purely light-hearted. I love the endless charm of it, the change in seasons and the dazzling centre page where the octopus is showcased in all its glory. The ending is again very simple but hugely effective and the detail on the final page of illustrations is so enchanting it leaves the reader with a couple of very important questions...what colour octopus do you want on your roof and what will its hobby be?
From a fishing and kite-flying octopus to the single baking squid, this book will encourage you to cast aside any worries and participate in five minutes of shared, carefree reading. It will make you feel as light as the breeze and as giddy as a day at the funfair. After all, anything is possible, right?
13 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2022
A vividly illustrated rhyming picture book sure to please as a read-aloud. Some of the rhymes may feel a bit forced at times but overall a fun and silly story. Children will surely delight in following the octopus and his antics throughout the year.
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
477 reviews16 followers
October 1, 2020
Everyone is excited when an octopus appears on the roof of a house. Everyone that is except Mrs. Antrobus. Soon the octopus has made friends with everyone and is entertaining the children, helping the community by fixing things and solving all manner of problems. But one night the octopus is nowhere to be found…

This is a delightful rhyming narrative full of warmth and charm. It shows the kindness of others and how they are all excited when the octopus arrives. They make their new visitor feel welcome and include it in all their games and activities. The octopus proves how valuable it can be to the community when it fixes things and even Mrs. Antrobus likes the octopus after it rescues her hat and cat. The book is filled with lovely messages on accepting others, celebrating differences and friendship.

Steven Lenton’s illustrations are lively and bright, especially the neon-pink octopus. They are sure to ‘brighten’ anyone’s day and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Recommended for 4+.
Profile Image for Bex mummyisreading.
236 reviews43 followers
August 16, 2021
Jake and I have now read this 4 times. He really likes the concept and the illustrations.

This book is really enjoyable and engaging. The rhythm and rhyme works really well and at the end we like talking about all the ways the Octopus are different.

Excellent book!
Thanks @midaspublications and @booktrust
Profile Image for Noelle Plotke.
28 reviews
February 26, 2022
What a fun, colorful, rhyming book about an octopus who lives on top of a house. I can see this being read during our preschool storytime. The pictures have fun details and the idea of an octopus living on a house would spark several silly conversations about who'd they want to live with them. Very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse.
1,525 reviews36 followers
December 11, 2022
Cette nouveauté de 2021 est un des plus adorables album jeunesse que j'ai vu cette année, et ce même avant de l'ouvrir, vu la couverture.

Y a pas à dire: les poulpes ont la cote en 2021! Ce doit bien être le quatrième album que je croise cette année qui propose un poulpe ou une pieuvre comme animal central.

Or donc, cette histoire prend place dans un village côtier fort sympathique. Un jour, un poulpe tour rose atterrit sur le toit d'une maison, à la très grande ( et compréhensible) surprise de la famille qui y habite. Si, au début, l'arrivé étonnante de ce géant invertébré peut, disons le, surprendre, la famille découvre qu'en fait, avoir un poulpe sur le toit présente pleins d'avantages. Il se montre aussi serviable dans les diverses corvées extérieurs que pour amuser les enfants. Rapidement, tout le monde adore leur ami poulpe. Certains voisins ronchonnent à son sujet, mais bien vite, on souhaiterait l'avoir sur son toit. Seul le boulanger déclare qu'il préférerait un calmar. Et puis, aussi soudainement que son arrivé, le poulpe disparait. La famille est chagrinée. Mais ce n'était en réalité que temporaire: le poulpe rose revient au village...avec toute une bande d'amis! Il y a même un calmar pour le boulanger. Ainsi, tout le monde a son ami invertébré sur le toit et depuis, les villageois et ces derniers coexistent en grande harmonie.

Une histoire sur l'inclusion, ni plus ni moins. Un beau message sur l'accueil et la collaboration entre deux groupes en apparence différents , mais qui gagne à se faire confiance et qui deviennent liés par l'amitié.

Non seulement les personnages et les lieux sont visuellement très beaux, les divers plans du poulpe en train de faire des tâches et activités sont adorables. Il y a un beau soucis du détail et c'est très amusant à lire. le "sapin-poulpe" était particulièrement mémorable. En outre, j'observe la présence d'ethnies différentes, ce qui est toujours un point positif dans un album jeunesse. Bon, bien sur, c'est un peu invraisemblable de voir ces gastéropodes hors de l'eau, mais bon, c'est la magie des histoires jeunesse.

Une belle trouvaille pour les préscolaires ( 3-4 ans) et le premier cycle primaire ( 5-6 ans).

Catégorisation: Album fiction, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans
Note: 8/10
27 reviews
August 18, 2022
I thought the story was great for young readers. All of the readers showed a lot of facial expressions, using multiple facial expressions can allow students to see and connect with what was going on throughout the story.

Since, little kids tend to remember things easier if they have more hands on materials, I thought having the octopus visible in every video was a great way for the students to interact with one another.

Also, the pictures throughout the story can help students understand and feel more connected with the story that way as well! I think this picture book would be a great resource for elementary kids to read.
Profile Image for Emily.
1,709 reviews13 followers
March 23, 2023
Illustrations are lots of fun, with the neon octopus doing all kinds of interesting things around the house that it has landed on. The rhyme scheme reminded me of Dr. Seuss, so this might be a great alternative for those looking for updated options. However, the actual plot was kind of meh for me. There was no demonstrated "winning over" of the grumpy neighbor - she didn't like him on one page, but out of nowhere just liked the octopus on the following. The final twist didn't feel super satisfying (like if it was demonstrated earlier that the neighbors had specific problems that the twist would solve), it just happened. I was hoping for more.
4 reviews
June 20, 2022
A bright and beautiful picture rhyming book about an octopus who lives on top of a house. I came across this book during world book day, and it sparked different conversations in the class I was teaching about what they would do with the octopus if it were to live on top of their house. Great book.
Profile Image for Melanie Hetrick.
4,758 reviews52 followers
October 29, 2022
A family that lives by the sea wakes to find an octopus on top of their house. It turns out to be a helpful octopus and they learn to enjoy it's presence. So much so that when one day they find the octopus gone they are quite befuddled. No worries; the octopus returns and brings friends!

Children will enjoy this rhyming tale of a tentacled housemate. Recommended for storytime.
Profile Image for Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS.
2,424 reviews37 followers
May 6, 2023
This is on the CBC recommended list for 2022, and I completely disagree. The text is clunky and the illustrations are meh. Slightly disturbing is the fact that these house-enveloping octopuses look kinda impaled on all the roofs. While meanwhile playing baseball and other tentacle-driven sports and games with the kids. Um. No.
Profile Image for Laura's Book Addiction.
2,741 reviews452 followers
June 20, 2021
I brought this book as it included the audiobook and my daughter adores those. This story was a little bit longer than the previous book so at times she struggled with her attention. But the illustrations are beautiful and the story was likeable.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.5k reviews464 followers
October 1, 2021
Een lekker vreemd en geinig boek over octopussen uit de lucht en hoe dat voor een klein dorpje is (en dan voor een huisje waar de octopus op zit vooral).


Ik kon dit boek gewoon niet laten liggen toen ik hem bij de bibliotheek zag. Kom op, een fluo octopus op een huis? Ik wil zeker meer weten! Waar komt ie vandaan? Waarom stort het huis niet in? Heeft ie water nodig? Waarom is hij daar?

Ik moest heerlijk lachen om het verhaal, hoe het begon met mm, wat moeten we met een octopus ging naar een verhaal waar hij helemaal deel is van de familie en ook de mensen van het dorp niet zonder hem konden. Ik vond het zo zoet om te zien hoe iedereen vrienden was met de octopus en ik genoot ook om te zien wat de octopus zoals deed op de dag.

Het einde… tja, ik verklap niks. XD Maar ik kan je wel vertellen dat ik het einde echt helemaal top vond.

Ik zou ook zeker aanraden om de schutbladen te bekijken, ik vind het altijd leuk als illustrators de schutbladen aanpassen aan het verhaal!

De tekeningen waren prachtig gedaan (zoals ik al had verwacht van Steven Lenton), al werd ik wel verblind door de octopus want hij is gewoon fluo oranje en mijn ogen vinden dat niet al te tof. Hij valt in ieder geval op.

Echt een aanrader als je zin hebt in een absurd grappig boek met natuurlijk ook een goede boodschap over niet beoordelen van een vreemdeling (in dit geval een octopus).

Recensie eerst gepost op https://boekeneiland.nl/
Profile Image for Pam  Page.
1,380 reviews
August 18, 2022
This is my new favorite picture book! The rhyming text is perfect for reading aloud, illustrations are a delight, and the idea of an octopus on top of a house is quite humorous. Kids are going to love this one!
Profile Image for Pam.
10.1k reviews57 followers
September 8, 2022
What happens when you wake up and discover a giant octopus on the roof. Bently takes readers through the fun involved as the octopus becomes part of their lives - even the grouchy neighbor. The story brings humor and an opportunity for discussion. Love the octopus expressions in the illustrations.
Profile Image for Jvermeersch.
1,505 reviews24 followers
August 25, 2023
Voldeed goed aan de verwachtingen voor mij. Kleurrijk, grappig, vlot rijmend, en met een lief einde. Mijn kleuterdochter reageerde er minder sterk op dan ik had gehoopt, maar ik denk dat ze gewoon nog te jong was om een rijmverhaal te blijven volgen.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
5,150 reviews64 followers
December 19, 2023
Hilarious story about a diverse family who have an octopus show up suddenly to live on their house. It becomes their friend and is useful in all sorts of ways. Rhyming text accompanies the fantastic illustrations, this one will need a bit of practice before trying to read it out loud to a group.
Profile Image for Connie T..
1,643 reviews8 followers
November 23, 2024
One day a neon orange octopus shows up on someone's roof. The grownups don't know what to make of it but the children are ecstatic! The octopus becomes the talk of the town then mysteriously disappears. When it returns it brings many of its friends.
7 reviews3 followers
November 27, 2024
If I could give it a 3.5, I would. But I rounded up.. my 5 year old absolutely LOVED the illustrations— he’s marveling at each page right now. I found both the story line and the rhymes were not great, but adequate. I will look for more books with this same illustrator
Profile Image for Lisa Yee Swope.
365 reviews4 followers
September 1, 2022
Who doesn't want an octopus helper? (We at Bookmarks are eternally grateful for Karl the Kraken's ongoing aid.) This gives new meaning to "It followed me home; can I keep it?"
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,285 reviews
September 3, 2022
Fabulous! Love the colorful and funny illustrations as well as the rhythm of the rhymes.
Profile Image for Leova Manbhat.
405 reviews4 followers
October 1, 2022
Cute and silly story of an octopus who lives at the top of their house! great illustrations and I love the use of neon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews