Hello, My Name Is Octicorn

November 1, 1999
Martino's luminous account of her lifelong love affair with horses is a moving, fiercely lyrical spiritual autobiography. Growing up on a California ranch, she learned to love horses from her Brooklyn-born Italian-American father ("The horses are blessed, chosen by God," he whispered to her when she was four), and from her Native American mother, in whose Osage traditions horses left deep tracks. Horses, "four-legged spirits that grace the grass," teachers of patience, balance, courage, trust and cooperation, are trail markers on Martino's inner journey. At age 19 she trained at the Vale, England's tough equestrian academy. At 28, the ghost of her father, who'd been dead several years, haunted a barn and was seen by two witnesses. Martino brought back from the brink and restored to health Belle, a gray mare whose cruel owner had beaten, isolated and starved her. Visiting the Blackfeet reservation in Montana, she received as a gift a wild stallion--a bridge to her ancestors who rode the hardy Plains horses as buffalo runners. In the book's most dramatic true-life tale, she defiantly quits her job as director of a horse facility rather than break in a gentle golden bay that does not want to jump cross-country obstacle courses. Exchanging security for freedom, she goes to live in a cabin with three "shy" wolves on an island off Washington State, where she now trains horses and runs Wolftown, a nonprofit organization that rescues wolves and horses. Martino believes that horses crave a good partnership even with an untrustworthy species like humans. Her tales of healing, survival and love indicate that we have much to learn from our equine friends.

February 29, 2016
Octi the octicorn has a horn on his head and four legs. He speculates that he could be the result of his father placing a personal ad: “Unicorn seeks Octopus for fun, friendship, and possible strange-looking offspring.” Of course he’s cute as can be, with a doodlelike body (picture a tentacled Pac-Man ghost with a party hat), googly eyes, and a slightly anxious, clenched grin. But it’s important for Diller and Lowe, who created and self-published Octi’s story several years ago, to assert that he’s an outsider—Octi’s cubby at school is the only one without a birthday card invite—so they can catalogue all the reasons why he’d make a wonderful friend (his horn is great for ring toss and making s’mores, less so for catching beach balls). “In the end,” he says, appealing for sympathy that he doesn’t really need, “we all want the same things: cupcakes, friends, and a jet ski.” There’s no denying Octi’s star power, but the book is little more than a listicle, and readers may wonder when the real story is going to start. Ages 4–8. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties.

March 1, 2016
The offspring of an octopus mom and a unicorn dad, Octicorn really needs a friend. With a grim expression, line-drawn body, and mismatched eyes, Octi is still a cute little critter with remarkable self-awareness. Octi is sad to be the only one without an invitation to a cupcake party--and grasps how unusual it is to be one-of-a-kind as a species. Octi speculates about how Mom and Dad may have met ("maybe a personal ad") and reveals the perils and bonuses of having four legs and a sharp protrusion from the head. The playground merry-go-round is a challenge, but juggling and roasting marshmallows are a snap. What Octi doesn't do, unfortunately, is narrate a story that goes beyond the novelty of a book-length character introduction. By the book's end, all readers know about Octi is that it's exceptionally lonely, and not in an endearing way that invites more interest. Rather, Octi seems desperate in a way that makes the concluding invitation for hugs and friendship a call for pity instead of excitement. The doodle-simple illustrations, which seem to have been enhanced with some splashes of color in the book's transition from self-published Kickstarter project to major publisher release, only add to the feeling that this was a thin idea unable to transcend its one-joke premise. There may be plenty more adventures for Octicorn; here's hoping that they'll be more amusing than awkward--unlike this introduction. (Picture book. 4-8)

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June 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-You've never heard of an octicorn? He's the offspring of an octopus and a unicorn, of course! Octi describes his life to readers in a matter-of-fact voice that belies the comic illustrations in this title. Octi believes his parents may have met at a costume party (where they each dressed as the other animal). But while his parents found each other and are happy, Octi feels very left out. He doesn't feel like he fits in on land or at sea. Octi is lonely, but he is also able to list all the things that make him unique and someone to be appreciated. The title character could be fun at parties, if he were ever invited-his tentacles make him a great juggler, his horn is perfect for ring toss. This story about how even the most unusual individuals long for friends will appeal to children. The text is fairly short and easy to read. The line drawings, in black and white with the occasional pop of color, are charming and amusing. Diller and Lowe use color to emphasize Octi's personality-the warmth Octi would show to a friend, if only someone would try. VERDICT Children may start the book laughing at Octi's appearance, but they will be won over by his personality and will find him endearing in the end. A fun choice for storytime.-Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2016
Grades K-2 It is not easy being an octicorn (for the uninitiated, that's half octopus, half unicorn, and as far as Octi knows, he is the only one). This means he doesn't really fit in on land or at sea, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to make friends. He has got plenty of appealing talents: octicorns can juggle, dance, and play water sports, and they are especially good at hugging. I know I look different than everyone else, but that's okay, Octi says, before cautiously asking the reader if, just maybe, they want to be his friend. The illustrations are primarily black-and-white with occasional dashes of colora blue spot in the sky when Octi says blue is his favorite color, or his red juggling balls. Octi himself, drawn in a thick black line, is a peculiar little guy. With his deer-in-headlights grimace, his mismatched eyes, and his weird physique, Octi is offbeat and lovably awkward, and his heartfelt plea for friendship is sure to be met with excited affirmation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)