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104th out of 113 books
—
55 voters
Cowboy and Octopus
Peanut butter and jelly. George and Martha. Frog and Toad. Cowboy and . . . Octopus? Yes, that’s right. Meet Cowboy and Octopus—the next great pair to become a household name. Cowboy likes beans’n’bacon and bacon’n’beans. Octopus eats raw seafood. Octopus prefers knock-knock jokes, but Cowboy doesn’t get them. How will these two ever be friends? Illustrated in funky, vinta...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
September 6th 2007
by Viking Juvenile
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Nov 09, 2007
Josephine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of goofy humor
Shelves:
picture-books
As a huge Jon Scieszka fan, I've been waiting for Cowboy & Octopus to come out for months and it is finally here. As expected, it is completely strange and off the wall and absolutely hilarious.
The picture book is made up of several short vignettes (think in terms of the classic easy readers: Frog and Toad, George and Martha).
While every single page didn't make me belly laugh, there was a bit about a knock knock joke and a head of lettuce that sent me into uncontrollable Monkey Woman level w...more
The picture book is made up of several short vignettes (think in terms of the classic easy readers: Frog and Toad, George and Martha).
While every single page didn't make me belly laugh, there was a bit about a knock knock joke and a head of lettuce that sent me into uncontrollable Monkey Woman level w...more
Scieszka, J. & Smith, L. (2007). Cowboy & Octopus. New York: Viking.
9780670910588
Appetizer: This my few but dear readers, is an EPIC 32-page, emotional, fun and angsty humorous look at an unlikely friendship between Cowboy and Octopus.
Scieszka and Smith are masters of the funny and weird. I don't know how they do it. Keep doing it. Over and over again. But through strange and unusual images and styles, repetitive language that touches on real childhood experiences, they manage to create...more
9780670910588
Appetizer: This my few but dear readers, is an EPIC 32-page, emotional, fun and angsty humorous look at an unlikely friendship between Cowboy and Octopus.
Scieszka and Smith are masters of the funny and weird. I don't know how they do it. Keep doing it. Over and over again. But through strange and unusual images and styles, repetitive language that touches on real childhood experiences, they manage to create...more
The unlikely friendship of a cut-out doll Cowboy and a culled comic strip Octopus has an inconceivable variety of manifestations and mishaps. The author/illustrator duo of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith portrays but an infinitesimal series of events which involve the mismatched “pardners.” Delving into such sequences as the initial meeting betwixt Cowboy and Octopus (wherein they “shake hands... and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, and shake hands, an...more
Jon Scieszka, the author of this book, is known for writing stories that are sure to bring laughter to both teachers and student, and in the book Cowboy and Octopus he does not disappoint. The book is made up of seven short stories about the unlikely friendship between a cowboy and an octopus. Each of the stories focuses on being a good friend. Both of the characters always the best interest of their friend at heart, however sometimes things don't go according to plan. In the first story cowboy...more
Well, what do you expect from Jon Scieszka? Based on the non-stop laughter of my 6 year old tonight at bedtime while reading this, I would have to say that kids, especially, 6 - 8 year olds will love this book.
Cowboy and Octopus quickly develop a friendship based on jokes, food, and being plain honest with each other... "your hat looks like something my horse dropped behind him."
The book is a series of 7 short stories (no more than 3 pages each) and follow Cowboy and Octopus through a series o...more
Cowboy and Octopus quickly develop a friendship based on jokes, food, and being plain honest with each other... "your hat looks like something my horse dropped behind him."
The book is a series of 7 short stories (no more than 3 pages each) and follow Cowboy and Octopus through a series o...more
If I had to sum up this book in one word, that word would almost certainly have to be "quirky". Not a word I like, but an excellent description of this book :)
The book is a series of very short stories about two paper cut-outs, a cowboy and an octopus. (Boy, you weren't expecting that, were you?) Mostly, the vignettes are just pure silliness, but there's an element of "What does it mean to be a friend" in many of them as well.
Most of the jokes aren't going to take an adult by surprise (or, for...more
The book is a series of very short stories about two paper cut-outs, a cowboy and an octopus. (Boy, you weren't expecting that, were you?) Mostly, the vignettes are just pure silliness, but there's an element of "What does it mean to be a friend" in many of them as well.
Most of the jokes aren't going to take an adult by surprise (or, for...more
A wonderful union of two of my favorite things, cephalopods and cowboys. The author shows that even 2 individuals who have nothing in common can come together and learn to overlook their differences and see the good within. It starts right away as the two collaborate to make a see-saw work, since by yourself, a see-saw isn't much fun.
It is described that the book is broken into a bunch of stories, but the stories only last for a page or two and few words, so it's more like a bunch of scenes, whi...more
It is described that the book is broken into a bunch of stories, but the stories only last for a page or two and few words, so it's more like a bunch of scenes, whi...more
Jun 20, 2011
Cathy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Cathy by:
Marci Carter and grandson, Jaxson
Shelves:
childrens-picture-book
Peanut butter and jelly. George and Martha. Frog and Toad. Cowboy and . . . Octopus? Yes, that's right. Meet Cowboy and Octopus—the next great pair to become a household name. Cowboy likes beans'n'bacon and bacon'n'beans. Octopus prefers knock-knock jokes, but Cowboy doesn't get them. How will these two ever be friends?
Illustrated in funky, vintage-style cut-outs and told in several humorous mini-stories, the famous Stinky Cheese Man duo of Scieszka and Smith have created sweet—and of course hil...more
Illustrated in funky, vintage-style cut-outs and told in several humorous mini-stories, the famous Stinky Cheese Man duo of Scieszka and Smith have created sweet—and of course hil...more
I stumbled upon this book when doing a theme on Cowboys. I thought "a book about a cowboy and an octopus, should be fun." Boy was I right!
Being the awesome preschool teacher that I am, I didn't 'pre-read' the book as we are supposed to and left it up to chance. I don't think that I have laughed so hard at a children's picture book in my life!
The best part is, it's about friendship and being yourself. While some may find Jon Scieszka's humor "stupid" I find that that's what makes his children's...more
Being the awesome preschool teacher that I am, I didn't 'pre-read' the book as we are supposed to and left it up to chance. I don't think that I have laughed so hard at a children's picture book in my life!
The best part is, it's about friendship and being yourself. While some may find Jon Scieszka's humor "stupid" I find that that's what makes his children's...more
I'm not quite sure how to take this book. It made no sense what so ever? A cowboy and and octopus that became friends. The colors and illustrations were delightful. Almost as if you were watching TV. I wasn't sure weather to be bored or interested? I guess in the end the lesson is your real friends tell you the truth. If something doesn't look right on you, they tell you. Like if you had a buger hanging from your nose and you walked around all day with it. If you were among people you knew and t...more
Hilarious. I mean, come on -- it's about a cowboy and an octopus! They aren't as sweet as, say, Elephant/Piggie or Frog/Toad, but it's worth reading simply because it will make your children laugh (at least the ones old enough to get the jokes -- 5+ probably ... some of the humor I wouldn't want to read to my two-year-old). And it will make the adult reader laugh! We are now saying "sounds loco to me" in our everyday conversation thanks to this book.
As if that wasn't enough -- the illustrations...more
As if that wasn't enough -- the illustrations...more
I love the work this team does. Imagine picking up any two little toys off your child's floor and being able to create charming friendship stories. Akin to The Frog and Toad Treasury: Frog and Toad are friends / Frog and Toad together / Frog and Toad all year. but fresher and sillier. And the artwork is terrific design, of course.
This is a strange book about an odd-couple friendship between a cowboy and an octopus. Told in short Vignettes, there are multiple stories in the book that don't really fit together other than the fact that they star Cowboy and Octopus. The humor is at times too subltle and at times obtuse. I am not sure many students would get it.
The illustrations are zany collages that student will find interesting--especially when Octopus is in a tut and has a wand and when there are real pictures of beans, b...more
The illustrations are zany collages that student will find interesting--especially when Octopus is in a tut and has a wand and when there are real pictures of beans, b...more
This book is a strange one because a cowboy and octopus aren't usually paired up. They have different interest and learn each others likes and dislikes while becoming friends. What I didn't like about this book was the language; I wouldn't have this book in my classroom for this reason. The used 'ain't' a few times which is grammatically incorrect. This could confuse students. Am I able to use this word or not? They also say words that I wouldn't say to young children.
An unlikely pair, Cowboy and Octopus have a great day together playing together, helping each other and deciding on Halloween costumes together, among other things. This story is quite interesting. The humor is not really appropriate for preschool-age children, in my opinion. They won't understand why an octopus dressed up like a shark is not scary, but dressed up as the tooth fairy, he is.
I also don't like picture books that attempt to make chapters out of 32 pages.
I also don't like picture books that attempt to make chapters out of 32 pages.
Cowboy and Octopus don’t agree on many things. Octopus likes the rain; Cowboy doesn’t. Cowboy likes to eat baked beans; Octopus doesn’t. But this unlikely pair are friends, and they stick together no matter what.
If you’re a fan of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (who teamed up to write the book The Stinky Cheese Man, for instance), you’ll love their newest book. It’s silly, funny, and fun to look at with crazy collage images on every page.
If you’re a fan of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith (who teamed up to write the book The Stinky Cheese Man, for instance), you’ll love their newest book. It’s silly, funny, and fun to look at with crazy collage images on every page.
This is my 5 year old's favorite book. If she's having a sad moment all we have to do is get this out. Cowboy and Octopus become friends in this short book, and each chapter is about a different scenario. The kid loves the chapter about Cowboy making baked beans for Octopus, which he doesn't really like but still tries (licks one bean and says "Whoa. I am so full!" - it kills her).
We love Jon Scieska and this book especially.
We love Jon Scieska and this book especially.
I love Jon Scieszka and his silly and random stories. This one definitely follows the same vein as being random and odd, as it is the story of a cowboy and an octopus that become best friends. They are so different, that sometimes things don't go ver smoothly, like when Cowboy makes Octopus beans for dinner, but eventaually, they make it work, despite their differences. It was very fun and my kids really enjoyed it.
The illustrations are done in a deceptively simple cut-paper style. The text is about friendship, which is a dime a dozen in children's books. But this one includes the old "when I nod my head, hit it with the hammer" joke, which is clearly the funniest thing _ever_ when you are six. Nick laughed and laughed and laughed, and a week later he's still spontaneously busting out with that line and laughing again.
Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith team up to write and illustrate another zany, off-the-wall book. Cowboy and Octopus is a story about an unusual friendship and there are sweet, silly, and just plain funny moments. Each vignette has some sort of twist to it that younger elementary students will get a kick out of.
This is not my favorite friends pairing, however. Recommended for elementary readers.
This is not my favorite friends pairing, however. Recommended for elementary readers.
May 10, 2012
Becca.jensen
added it
Brought to us by the team that created The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man, this is a collection of mini-stories (I'd call them mini-moments) shared between two unlikely friends, Cowboy and Octopus. Leo asks for this one by name and I laughed out loud at some of the lines. It's a book I wanted to share with anyone who's been a funny friend to me.
I had high hopes for this book! Lane's illustrations are rendered with collage and are quite detailed. The text itself lacks special something that I usually associate with Lane Smith's work. Usually the Sciezka/Lane pairing creates a dynamic and well-designed picturebook. While there was still humor and heart-warming friendship, I felt that this book really fell flat.
Quirky comes as no surprise when Lane Smith and Jon Scieszka pair up. In this case paying attention to the title page could help see this as a goofy, creative sets of stories that emerged when a comic page octopus cut-out and a paper doll cowboy cut-out "pardner up" on large double page spreads (collage) in a series of silly escapades. Might hit the spot for some.
Mar 17, 2008
babyhippoface
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anybody who likes to laugh
Shelves:
kids-picture-books,
humor
Here's my guarantee: read this to any classroom full of kids from Pre-K up to 3rd grade--and probably all the way up to Jr. High--and you WILL get giggles and giggles and giggles. I promise.
Oh sure, adults may look at you like you're wearing a tutu and a pair of Elton John's old glasses (which could be a page from a Sciezska/Smith book, now that I think of it), but once they hear the infectious laughter of the kids, they'll join right in. You just can't read this book without laughing.
And readin...more
Oh sure, adults may look at you like you're wearing a tutu and a pair of Elton John's old glasses (which could be a page from a Sciezska/Smith book, now that I think of it), but once they hear the infectious laughter of the kids, they'll join right in. You just can't read this book without laughing.
And readin...more
Quirky, unlikely "pardners" Cowboy and Octopus get to know one another in this silly, fun romp with vintage-y, engaging artwork. Would be perfect for a read-aloud, since it is a series of short vignettes-- some could be skipped, or the book could be ended early, without messing up a narrative. The humor might be best for a bit older, like 6-8 year olds.
Not everyone will "get" this book. But if you have an off-beat sense of humor it may have you chuckling for days. At our house, my husband and four year-old repeated the jokes for weeks and never ceased laughing and giggling over them. I suggest reading it aloud and giving the Characters very different voices (something my husband is very good at)
I disliked this book a lot. The pictures were weird adding real life pictures with the cartoons. The whole story is just silly. Why is a cowboy a friend of an octopus. The only reason I rate this book as a two star is because they are so stupid its kind of funny. Who eats beans and only beans?!? I just don't understand the point of this book.
This book is done in short little stories and they feature the friendship of Cowboy and Octopus. The stories all focus on friendship. I have liked the partnership of this author/illustrator in the past, I found their work quite funny, but I felt this book fell short and I'm not sure all younger readers would get some of the humor.
My husband's aunt is a librarian, so she always sends us amazing and entertaining children's books.
This one is no exception. Full of short stories that are absolutely ridiculous but express a variety of different concepts on the over arching theme of friendship, it keeps my kid's attention and makes them laugh out loud.
This one is no exception. Full of short stories that are absolutely ridiculous but express a variety of different concepts on the over arching theme of friendship, it keeps my kid's attention and makes them laugh out loud.
This is one of my kids FAVORITE books. We've read it several times and always laugh like crazy.
The key is to read it really loudly, with exaggerated accents. :) My Octopus voice is very monotone and deep, almost like a robot, and my Cowboy voice is based on a close family friend from Arkansas. :)
The key is to read it really loudly, with exaggerated accents. :) My Octopus voice is very monotone and deep, almost like a robot, and my Cowboy voice is based on a close family friend from Arkansas. :)
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Jon Scieszka is a writer and teacher. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and two children. Occasionally he has been known to howl at the full moon. --from the dust jacket of "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs"
Jon Scieszka is also the author of the best-selling ALA Notable Book, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, as well as Knights of the Kitchen Table, and The Not-So-Jolly Roger...more
More about Jon Scieszka...
Jon Scieszka is also the author of the best-selling ALA Notable Book, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, as well as Knights of the Kitchen Table, and The Not-So-Jolly Roger...more
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Aug 04, 2011 05:05am