  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 04/01/2018 PreS-Gr 2—A sweet imagined story of how the Adorabilis octopus got his name. The tiny, pink flapjack octopus, drawn here with giant eyes and floppy earlike fins, is the newest resident of a deep-sea tank. As he meets his neighbors, he learns how they were given names that are related to their unique features or abilities by scientists (the Fangtooth's sharp teeth, the moon jelly's ability to glow, etc.). The diminutive protagonist continues to introduce readers to aquatic life as he wonders and worries about what his name will be, all leading to a cheery and adorable resolution. Readers will delight in the book's thoughtful presentation. The bubbly typeface paired with Chou's whimsical, geometric illustrations complement Polansky's story well. Adorabilis is an endearing character—bulbous and Pokémon-like in image, the cute octopus cheerfully greets his neighbors with a "Good mooorning!" An ending note describes how scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute actually named the cute octopus. VERDICT A fun option for preschool storytimes and as an introduction to sea creatures.—Phuong Vu, West Jordan Library, UT - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 05/01/2018 What’s pink, parasol-shaped, and has eight webbed arms? Scientists weren’t quite sure when they discovered this mysterious cephalopod in deep waters off the California coast. While the creature’s genus was quickly determined, its species remained undecided until recently. In this exuberant picture book, Polansky delivers a fictional riff on the marine marvel’s quest for classification. As our doe-eyed protagonist flits through his new “deep-sea tank,” he’s greeted by a menagerie of current species, all rendered in Disney artist Chou’s jaunty, geometric style. There’s Anglerfish, who uses a “hook to attract fish”; Mimic Octopus, who marvelously matches her surroundings; and Moon Jelly, who can “glow bright white.” It’s all a bit discouraging for the nameless, tentacled gumdrop—that is, until a scientist bestows him with the best name of all: Adorabilis. While adults may find fault with Polansky’s conceit (Adorabilis shares a tank with both a six-gill shark and a giant squid), little ones will eagerly dive into this all-around adorable first glimpse at ocean fauna. Plus, a concluding note from scientist Stephanie L. Bush offers further insight into Adorabilis’ discovery. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. Loading...
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