THE OCTOPUS

The creator of Minnie and Moo opens an equally engaging series featuring a flop-eared young pup and his yarn-spinning grandpa. Grandma draws little Barney a warm bath to soothe his chicken-pox itch, but as soon as she leaves the room, Grandpa supplies a remedy of his own with a rousing tale from his days as a lighthouse keeper, about the time a storm drove a huge octopus up out of the tub’s drain. Cazet’s soft colors get stronger and wilder, as does the story, one of swordfish-fighting and the like. Then the cozy domestic setting gets a good drenching as Grandpa, growing more and more animated, suddenly spots a spongy “octo” in Barney’s bathwater and jumps in, fully clothed, to “rescue” his excited listener. Later, mopping up the mess, he promises Barney a thrilling tale from his days as Fire Chief—a clever link to the as-yet-unscheduled second episode. Fine, splashy fare for developing readers. (Easy reader. 6-8)