Squid Kid the Magnificent

April 15, 2015
In supersaturated oceanic color, squidling Oliver, purple and with top hat and wand, becomes Squid Kid the Magnificent after saying the magic words: "smelly yellow jellyfish." His ponytailed, fuchsia older sister, Stella, is unimpressed. When Oliver disappears in a cloud of squid ink, Stella points out that it isn't magic-any squid can do it. Stella is particularly alarmed by Oliver's use of her pet cuttlefish, Cuddles, in his act, and she notes that "cuttlefish change colors ALL THE TIME," and that isn't magic either. Oliver soldiers on, trying one last trick, but Stella has a trick up her, er, tentacles, too. Oliver's magician's patter is quite fine, and Berry's good use of occasional internal rhyme and alliteration makes this a likely read-aloud. A couple of gatefolds add visual pop to the deep colors, and details charm. There's the occasional audience of a besotted clam (note the hearts), and a yellow puffer fish acts as silent sidekick to Oliver. It's hard to decide which is funnier: the single orthodontic bracket on Stella's beak or Oliver's magic chant. Delightful brother-and-sister snark in squid form-yes, really. (Picture book. 4-7)

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June 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-He is not Oliver! He is Squid Kid the Magnificent and he will wow anyone who will watch with his amazing magical feats! He can disappear (in a cloud of ink), can make dozens of octopi appear out of thin air, and can turn a pink cuttlefish gold. Amazing, isn't it? Big sister Stella is unimpressed by her younger brother's tricks since these are things that ALL squids (and cuttlefish) can do. Bright, bold illustrations and funny, often rhyming text make this picture book an enjoyable read that often allows moments of audience participation when reciting Squid Kid's magic words of "Smelly, yellow jellyfish!" Librarians and parents alike will enjoy reading this book aloud to their children who will giggle through the entire adventure. VERDICT Fans of Berry's other picture books will delight in this one, which can be perfectly paired with Bob Shea's I'm a Shark! (HarperCollins, 2011). A must-have.-Paige Garrison, Aurora Central Public Library, CO

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