Octopus Soup

Apparently Mercer Mayer truly believes that "a picture is worth a thousand words."  Released on April 1, 2011 by Marshall Cavendish, Octopus Soup has no text, although a few words are placed throughout the pictures (on signs, etc.).  Not only is this a creative way to get younger writers to imagine their own storyline, but it creates a perfect book to read to little ones who are still more content flipping pages at their own pace rather the the story's pace.

In Octopus Soup, a young octopus leaves home and climbs up into a boat.  Then his real adventures begin.  Along the way, he learns that the law is the law, and truth will win. But he goes through some crazy experiences! Will he be able to get back in the ocean and back to his family before he gets turned into Octopus Soup?

The only negative element was minor, but I thought some parents might want to know about it.  A blimp floats by with the words "got gas?" I'm not a fan of potty humor and felt that this was poor choice on the part of the illustrator as there really was no connection to the blimp in the rest of the picture.  This one element could have just as easily been left out.

Otherwise, Octopus Soup is a unique book filled with humorous illustrations to spark your and your child's imagination (which is what this blog is all about!).

How will you tell the story of Octopus Soup?