On a visit to the ocean, a curious little girl goes searching for a seashell and meets a new eight-armed friend While at the ocean, a curious young girl goes searching for a seashell and finds an octopus friend instead. The encounter turns into an afternoon full of play and discovery. From eating, to napping, to playing, octopuses are just like us … aren't they? Well, maybe not quite … For instance, when you spot an octopus, you might be tempted to shake its hand. Please don't! A friendly wave is just fine. A sidebar explains that all octopuses have eight arms, and some can even detach an arm to escape when trapped or threatened. (Don't worry-the arm will grow back!) Throughout this underwater adventure, fun-to-read sidebars add context by describing a variety of fascinating facts about octopuses, while colorful, movement-filled illustrations perfectly capture the charm and gentle humor of this informational picture book. AGES: 3 to 7 AUTHOR: Deborah Kerbel is an award-winning author who writes picture books, middle grade, and YA novels. Her recent books include Fred & Marjorie, Whirl, This House Is Home, and When Molly Drew Dogs. Deborah lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, two teens, and a rescue schnoodle named Freddie. Born in Hong Kong, Dawn Lo is an illustrator currently based in Vancouver, the unceded lands of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. In addition to illustrating picture books, her work has appeared on stationery, greeting cards, public art installations, murals, and more. SELLING POINTS: . STEM curriculum ties to animal behavior, adaptation, and ocean habitats . End pages include extra octopus facts forcurious young minds . Written by Deborah Kerbel, author of the Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Award-winning Fred & Marjorie Companion title What About an Elephant? expected fall 2025