The Octopuppy

February 23, 2015
“Edgar wanted a dog,” so he’s none too happy when he gets an octopus named Jarvis instead. Sea green with tentacles that fade to violet, Jarvis resembles a cross between Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants and Roger the alien from American Dad! His personality, though, is all his own. Announcing his arrival in a hail of confetti and streamers, Jarvis demonstrates a flair for the theatrical in everything he does—commanded by Edgar to “play dead,” Jarvis dresses up as a toilet-paper mummy, and when Edgar dares to let the octopus compete in a dog show, “Jarvis could only be himself.” (U.K.-based author-artist McKenna shows Jarvis juggling flaming torches while wearing a tutu and fruit-laden headwear worthy of Carmen Miranda.) Though some readers may be baffled by why Edgar is so unhappy with a pet as undeniably amazing as Jarvis, after Jarvis leaves (by flushing himself down the toilet), they’ll enjoy watching Edgar’s devoted efforts to find his lost friend. The story charts a fairly predictable course, but McKenna’s illustrations are resplendent with funny visual gags, and Jarvis oozes personality and charm. Ages 3–5.

February 15, 2015
When is a dog not a dog? When he's an octopuppy."Edgar wanted a dog. / But Edgar didn't get a dog. He got Jarvis." Edgar's strange new pet can't do any of the cool things a dog does. Jarvis has eight wiggly arms and is no good on walks. Acknowledging that Jarvis is clever, however, Edgar thinks, upon seeing a poster for a dog show, that with a little training, Jarvis might be able to do what show dogs do. When he commands "lie down," Jarvis puts on a night cap and jammies and snuggles up with a teddy bear. When Edgar commands "play dead," Jarvis dons a mummy's bandages and moans atmospherically. He's almost a total failure...but Jarvis does learn to sit. The spectacularly talented Jarvis is, unfortunately, a disaster at the dog show, angering and embarrassing Edgar. It is only after Jarvis leaves (leaving a note apologizing for being a bad dog) that Edgar realizes what a great pet he had. British illustrator McKenna's first U.S. release is an excellent, absurd addition to the I-want-a-pet genre. His digitally created art, dotted with wacky detail and visual gags, effectively milks the situation for maximum looniness, absolutely going to town with the body-language possibilities offered by eight arms. Jarvis' tale will inspire listeners to laugh...and ask for an octopuppy. (Picture book. 3-8)

Starred review from June 1, 2015
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* Edgar is eager for a puppy, but when he gets a yellow box deceptively decorated with dog bones, he's disgruntled to discover there's not a canine in the package but a goggle-eyed, eight-legged cephalopod named Jarvis. Jarvis' enthusiasm for Edgar is stunninghe emerges from his box with confetti and ribbons and regales his new owner with masterful tricks, such as wearing all the shoes in the house and holding lots of ice-cream cones at once. Edgar is dead set on a dog, though, and it's not until Jarvis follows his command to sit that he's satisfied, and it's off to the dog show. Can Jarvis obey like the doggie Edgar wants him to be? (Spoiler alert: no.) It takes a while, but Edgar eventually learns to value Jarvis for what he isa brilliant creature who looks boffo in a tux and is better than any puppy. McKenna's hilarious illustrations and uproarious page turns capture a fantastic array of cartoonish emotions, from Edgar's furrowed-brow fury and head-hanging regret to Jarvis' charmingly oblivious attempts to impress, all of which are obvious enough that young ones who haven't mastered reading yet will still be able to follow along. Kiddos will chuckle over Jarvis' antics, and they'll be heartwarmed when Edgar finally appreciates his octopal. Superb laugh-a-minute absurdity.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)