“THANK YOU, OCTOPUS,” by Darren Farrell, Dial, May 1, 2014, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-5)
There are many bedtime books available, but there aren’t any quite like Darren Farrell’s “Thank you, Octopus.”
Bedtime ahoy. It’s that time of night, and Octopus is happy to help his buddy get ready. First up is a warm bath (Thank you, Octopus) . . . of egg salad (No, thank you, Octopus). Putting on pjs, brushing teeth, reading books and checking under the bed for monsters all follow suit — each with Octopus’ own twist.
“Thank You, Octopus” has a rowdier feel than you might expect, but some giggly humor and a tender ending temper that rowdiness. I’d pick this one as a pre-bedtime read, perhaps before a bath. It sets the tone for nightly rituals.
If you’re looking for a gentle, lulling read, this isn’t the book for you. But if you’re looking for an imaginative tale with engaging illustrations that caters to your child’s sillier side, “Thank You, Octopus” might be a good fit.