Otto the Octopus just wants to fit in, but he tends to overthINK. And when he does, he releases lots of…INK! Otto the Octopus is starting school tomorrow and he’s shy. Poor Otto worries that he’ll get to school and have an INKplosion!
From the very first page, this pun-tastic book understands its audience perfectly: kids who are excited, terrified, or slightly convinced that school might go catastrophically wrong. Otto’s emotions literally spill onto the page. His inky reactions to new classrooms, new routines, and new faces are laugh-out-loud funny. Every smudge and splat feels like a familiar first-day worry (just with more tentacles).
Rebel Challenger’s illustrations add depth to the story, showing every wide eye, drooping tentacle, and inky explosion. Swirls of ink burst from the page, and when you look closer, there are small clues about the happenings of schools and friendships. The illustrations invite readers to laugh with Otto (not at him) creating a safe space to explore big emotions.
What makes Otto’s Ink-redible First Day of School truly special is its heart. Beneath the jokes and visual chaos is the gentle, reassuring message that it’s okay to be nervous, mistakes happen, and sometimes the things that make you feel different are exactly what make you a star. I also loved that Otto doesn’t suddenly become fearless; he learns that courage can be messy and imperfect.
Warm, witty, and wonderfully messy, this is a perfect read-aloud for families facing that first-day of school, or for teachers in younger years introducing new ideas and concepts to their class.
Otto the Octopus just wants to fit in, but he tends to overthINK. And when he does, he releases lots of…INK! Otto the Octopus is starting school tomorrow and he’s shy. Poor Otto worries that he’ll get to school and have an INKplosion!
