Just So Stories

UQP

September 2025

9780702266317

RRP: $14.99

I’ve made no secret of my admiration of and fascination with octopuses. Some will have read my review of A Journey Under the Water and also watched My Octopus Teacher, both of which increased my manifold interest in these amazing creatures. You may also have seen references to Octopolis, the ‘city’ created by octopuses off the coast of Jervis Bay – it’s completely enthralling stuff.

Add to that, the turnaround of my feelings towards verse novels – who knew so many outstanding ones would appear in just one year to completely persuade me that I do actually really enjoy this genre? – plus the fact that this is not just a verse novel. It is, in fact, narrative non-fiction verse novel – what the actual??

Yes, it’s true. Zana Fraillon has created this stunningly lyrical and completely absorbing insight into an octopus called Houdini. Pretty sure you can guess why the name! Houdini was rescued as a very small octopus and she has lived in an aquarium ever since.

Undoubtedly, it was perhaps unlikely that they would have survived in the ocean at the time they were rescued, but now her brilliant emotional and mental intelligence is yearning to get back into the sea. They have even figured out how to get there. Paul, the aquarium keeper, is determined to keep her in their confinement but his daughter, Juno, not only empathises with Houdini but establishes a point of communication with this highly-intelligent animal. Houdini’s eventual ‘escape’ is a win/win for both themselves and the aquarium.

The book opens with a page of facts about octopuses and concludes with Zana’s explanation of the backstory and the real Houdini, and their situation in Sea Life Sydney. This is a quick read for any kiddo from around 8 years upwards and would also make a terrific read-aloud, but don’t be fooled by its brevity (less than 100 pages) because there are some deep layers to explore in this one, and it would provide so much rich fodder for group discussions, making it a perfect reading circle or book group choice as well.

I loved it from page 1 and next time I’m back home in Sydney, I’d love to go visit the Aquarium and pay my respects. BTW the she/they is deliberate, in case you were wondering.

A many-armed, tricky and mischievous 5 🐙🐙🐙🐙🐙rating for this one – watch out for it on awards lists in the coming year!