Hello, My Name is Octicorn

Reviewed by: Deidre Walsh - Goodall Library, Sanford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 19, 2016

Review

Do you know what an octicorn is? Read this book and you will find out. Octicorn is a rare breed. He is a cross between an octopus and a unicorn. In this book Octicorn introduces himself and explains where he comes from. To the point where he jokes about his parents meeting at a cocktail/costume party. Or by a personal ad, "Unicorn seeks octopus for fun, friendship, & possible strange-looking offspring." This may sound funny, but it is entirely inappropriate for a picture book for young children. How Octicorn's parents met and possibly procreated should not have been included in this type of book. The humor of the story for the target age of the audience could have been held in tact by omitting the cocktails and personal ad. After that huge glitch in the book, Octicorn goes on to tell us why he is fun to be around. But he is also sad. He wants friends, just like everyone else. There is a good message here. Octicorn may look and be different, but that is okay. He is also just like anyone else, he wants friends (& of course, cupcakes.) The writing is tongue and cheek humorous and is accessible to strong beginning readers. The illustrations go along with the story. They are funny and simple, black ink with minimal color. It's as if a child drew them. The other fault I find with this book is that Octicorn looks like he has a deer-in-headlights look on his face the entire time. His expression never changes. Also, his horn looks more like a party hat than a unicorn horn. And he only has four tentacles. Of course that could be the result of his mismatched parents procreating. All that being said, this is a unique, creative, humorous and original book. There are some really funny writing and illustrations in here. And the overall message of it's okay to be different, but we are all still the same in that we all need friends (& cupcakes)is wonderful. Pair with Bob Shea's "Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great" for a humorous unicorn themed story time, or with Todd Parr's "It's Okay to Be different" for a preschool or first grade story time and discussion on being different. Not a first purchase.

Overall Book Score: fair