 | I'm a dumbo octopus! : a graphic guide to cephalopods Author: Lambelet, Anne | |
| Price: $26.36 | ||
Summary:
Dumbo octopus Grimpy presents a tour of the whole cephalopod class: cuttlefish, nautiluses, octopuses, and squids. When he dwells on everything he can't do, the others show him why it's great to be a dumbo! In graphic novel format.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (02/01/25)
School Library Journal (+) (00/12/24)
Booklist (+) (12/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 03/01/2025 *Starred Review* For its debut, the Anne Lambelet’s Marine Life Graphic Guides recruits the cutest little narrator you ever did see: Grimpy, the dumbo octopus. Pink and shaped like a gumdrop, Grimpy (short for Grimpoteuthis) introduces an array of cephalopods, conversationally noting their defining characteristics and key science concepts. The artwork employs a muted palette of cyan, coral, and peach, and the scenes themselves playfully mix visual gags (e.g., an octopus wearing a wig as a disguise) with diagrams and fact-based renderings (e.g., a mimic octopus taking on the appearance of a venomous sea snake). As Grimpy discusses the different types of cephalopods (octopuses, squids, cuttlefish, and nautiluses) and such abilities as changing color (thanks, chromatophores!), squirting ink, squishing through tiny openings, and using tools, the darling dumbo tries their hand (er, arm?) at all these endeavors without success. Growing increasingly upset by these failures (“Isn’t there anything special about dumbos?!”), Grimpy gets a self-esteem boost from their fellow cephalos, who swim to the rescue with impressive dumbo facts. Succinct back matter includes an illustrated glossary, a photo of a “Real-Life Grimpy” (still cute!), a selected bibliography, and annotated further-reading list. This guide is an obvious pick for Science Comics fans, but even kids who don’t typically go for nonfiction will be delighted by the entertaining presentation of information. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
