Publisher Description

It"s a good thing
you're not an
octopus

If you were an octopus, you would have eight legs to put into your pants

Follow one little boy through his day as he playfully considers how mealtime, bath time, nap time, and many other activities would be different if he were a bird, a tiger, or any number of baby animals. At the end of the day he realizes that the best thing of all is to be himself

Julie Markes's first picture book is charmingly illustrated by Maggie Smith.

Author Biography

Julie Markes lives with her husband, Eric Schine, and theJulie Markes lives with her husband, Eric Schine, and theJulie Markes lives with her husband, Eric Schine, and their two sons, Charlie and Nicholas, in Brooklyn, New York. Heir two sons, Charlie and Nicholas, in Brooklyn, New York. Heir two sons, Charlie and Nicholas, in Brooklyn, New York. Her books include Thanks For Thanksgiving; I Can't Talk Yet, Br books include Thanks For Thanksgiving; I Can't Talk Yet, Br books include Thanks For Thanksgiving; I Can't Talk Yet, But When I Do ...; Good Thing You're Not An Octopus!; Sidewalut

Kirkus US Review

First-time author Markes's impish tale will tickle tiny funny bones. Burdensome tasks seem a lot less onerous to a young boy when he considers the alternatives. Focusing on mundane happenings in a toddler's typical day, Markes touches on a host of classic toddler power struggles: getting dressed, submitting to the confines of a car seat, and the dreaded bedtime, with its attendant traumas of brushing teeth and taking a bath. However, a quick peek at the animal kingdom provides the recalcitrant tot with all the motivation he needs to determine that the grass is greener on his side of the fence. Loathe naptime? Just think, Markes cautions readers, "If you were a bear, you would have to nap all winter long!" Preschoolers will delight in the unabashedly silly animal/human comparisons, and may even learn a little something too. For instance, donning one pair of shoes seems a breeze in comparison to a caterpillar's whopping 16 tootsies that would need to be shod. Smith's ("Dear Daisy, Get Well Soon", 2000, etc.) lighthearted, full-color illustrations provide a perfect comic counterpart to the outlandish tale. Each topic culminates in a full-bleed, two-page illustration depicting both the human and animal youngsters engaged in similar activities, with uproariously funny results. A wonderfully droll way to diffuse toddler tantrums, this should be tucked into every diaper bag. "(Picture book. 3-6)". (Kirkus Reviews)

Description for Library

A little boy finds that his life is pretty easy compared to how it might be.

Details