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Gabby Dawnay

If I had an octopus

If I had an octopus

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A board book edition of the bestselling "If I Had a..." series, "If I Had an Octopus" is a charming and imaginative story that imagines life with an octopus as a pet. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of having an octopus, such as playing ball games simultaneously and staying camouflaged, but also warns about the potential for ink spills. The book features vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, making it a delightful bedtime story for children.

Format: Board book
Length: 28 pages
Publication date: 04 May 2023
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd



The story begins with a young girl named Lily who is feeling bored and uninspired. She is sitting on her porch, watching the birds and the clouds pass by, when she suddenly has an idea. What if she had an octopus for a pet?

Lily is immediately captivated by the idea of having an octopus for a pet. She imagines all the fun things they could do together, like playing ball games and swimming in the ocean. But she also realizes that having an octopus for a pet would come with some challenges.

For example, octopuses have eight arms, which means they can be very busy and hard to keep track of. They also have a tendency to escape, and Lily worries that she might lose her pet.

Despite these concerns, Lily is determined to have an octopus for a pet. She starts doing some research and learns that octopuses are intelligent and social creatures. They can learn to recognize their owners and even play tricks.

Lily decides to build an octopus tank in her backyard. She gathers all the supplies she needs, including a large tank, rocks, and plants, to create a safe and comfortable home for her new pet.

As the days go by, Lily spends more and more time with her octopus. She teaches it to play ball and swim, and they have many fun adventures together. But as time passes, Lily realizes that having an octopus for a pet is not as easy as she thought it would be.

For example, octopuses have a short lifespan and can be very sensitive to their environment. They need a lot of attention and care, and Lily worries that she might not be able to provide them with the right amount of love and attention.

Despite these challenges, Lily is determined to keep her octopus as a pet. She learns to adapt to its needs and provides it with the best possible care. She even starts to teach her octopus to communicate with her, using a series of clicks and whistles.

In the end, Lily realizes that having an octopus for a pet is not just about having fun and playing games. It is about learning to love and care for another creature, and about the importance of being responsible for the animals we share our lives with.

If I Had an Octopus is a charming and imaginative story that teaches children about the joys and challenges of having a pet. With its vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, it is a perfect bedtime story that will inspire children to dream big and to be responsible pet owners.


If I Had an Octopus is a delightful bedtime story that follows a little girl's flight of fancy as she imagines the advantages and disadvantages of having an octopus for a pet. The story begins with a young girl named Lily who is feeling bored and uninspired. She is sitting on her porch, watching the birds and the clouds pass by, when she suddenly has an idea. What if she had an octopus for a pet?

Lily is immediately captivated by the idea of having an octopus for a pet. She imagines all the fun things they could do together, like playing ball games and swimming in the ocean. But she also realizes that having an octopus for a pet would come with some challenges.

For example, octopuses have eight arms, which means they can be very busy and hard to keep track of. They also have a tendency to escape, and Lily worries that she might lose her pet.

Despite these concerns, Lily is determined to have an octopus for a pet. She starts doing some research and learns that octopuses are intelligent and social creatures. They can learn to recognize their owners and even play tricks.

Lily decides to build an octopus tank in her backyard. She gathers all the supplies she needs, including a large tank, rocks, and plants, to create a safe and comfortable home for her new pet.

As the days go by, Lily spends more and more time with her octopus. She teaches it to play ball and swim, and they have many fun adventures together. But as time passes, Lily realizes that having an octopus for a pet is not as easy as she thought it would be.

For example, octopuses have a short lifespan and can be very sensitive to their environment. They need a lot of attention and care, and Lily worries that she might not be able to provide them with the right amount of love and attention.

Despite these challenges, Lily is determined to keep her octopus as a pet. She learns to adapt to its needs and provides it with the best possible care. She even starts to teach her octopus to communicate with her, using a series of clicks and whistles.

In the end, Lily realizes that having an octopus for a pet is not just about having fun and playing games. It is about learning to love and care for another creature, and about the importance of being responsible for the animals we share our lives with.

If I Had an Octopus is a charming and imaginative story that teaches children about the joys and challenges of having a pet. With its vibrant illustrations and playful rhymes, it is a perfect bedtime story that will inspire children to dream big and to be responsible pet owners.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 191 x 178 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500653180

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