Izzy & Oscar

February 23, 2015
Izzy and her friends are in the middle of a serious pirate phrase. “Call me Izzy,” she says, opening the book in Melvillean fashion. “It’s only Isabel if I am in trouble. And the captain is never in trouble.” Izzy’s friends already have their own pirate animal mascots, and Izzy finds hers in a purple octopus named Oscar. Dockray (Sweet Baby Feet) draws Oscar with a semblance of naturalistic detail, but Estes and Stark are in it for the laughs as Izzy tries to train Oscar. “He was pretty good on the leash. Mostly,” they write as Oscar all but glues himself to the door of a sushi restaurant. And, later, Oscar parlays a heroic swimming-pool rescue into a gig as “the best lifeguard ever,” complete with whistle and sunglasses. Offsetting the comedy, the authors conclude with a list of 12 octopus facts, noting the animal’s camouflage and regenerative abilities. It’s a goofy, good-natured story of a decidedly nontraditional pet. Because, as Izzy explains, “A traditional pet does not squoosh out black ink all over everything. And your mother.” Ages 4–8. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House.

February 15, 2015
Pirate captain Izzy finds a treasure of a pet in an octopus.With his surprising ability to survive outside the water, Oscar the octopus isn't much like a real octopus, but he isn't much like an ordinary pet, either. He doesn't fetch or shake hands. He sleeps under the bed instead of on it, doesn't always behave well on a leash and doesn't want to be ridden. His best trick is camouflage, but that backfires when, surprised in a hiding place, he inks Izzy's mother. Dockray's lively illustrations portray the action and add to the humor of this cheery, unusual pet story, especially through Oscar's expressive body language. Done with digitally friendly Doc Martin dyes and pencil, these images are colorful and engaging and will show well to a group. The diversity of the four seashore-exploring children in Izzy's crew is suggested through their different hair styles and colors. They're led by ponytailed, Caucasian Izzy, who does her best to figure out just what to do with this animal. "Oscar ate a lot. He grew bigger. So did his octopoop." Young listeners may finally, sadly agree that "[a]n octopus belongs in the ocean," but they'll cheer at the unexpected resolution. A grand addition to any pet-themed read-aloud session. (Picture book. 3-7)

May 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Izzy, the pirate captain, has always wanted a pet. One day, she and her friends stumble upon a rather nontraditional pet, an octopus, whom she names Oscar. He eats too much and inks her mom, but when a man goes overboard, Oscar comes to the rescue, saving Izzy and another friend who can't swim. This exciting story is full of rich vocabulary, beautiful pencil and dye illustrations, and belly-laugh humor that young children will love. The images are colorful and eye-catching, while not overpowering. The characters' facial expressions are funny and speak volumes. The back of the book also contains a list of fun "Octofacts." Izzy & Oscar has the potential to appeal to children of all genders, while offering girl empowerment through Izzy's pirate captain narrative; she's a young and quirky, modern-day Anne Bonny. This title would make a great segue into a STEM discussion on animal camouflage and octopi traits. VERDICT A good addition to any library or classroom collection, making for a fun read aloud or independent reading selection.-Kaitlin Connors, Virginia Beach Public Library

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