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Paco the Octopus: A Story About Courage, Perseverance, and Emotional Growth for Kids Ages 3–8

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Dive into this captivating underwater world, where Paco, a brave and adventurous young octopus, embarks on a journey of discovery to explore the wonders of the ocean. With the words his Mama used to say to him in mind, Paco musters up the courage to leave his home reef and face his fears - no matter how daunting.

As he ventures further into the depths of the sea, Paco discovers his own unique talents but will he be able to persevere and achieve his goal? Tag along with Paco to find out!

If you enjoyed books like The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming (author) and Nicola Slater (illustrator) and Shark The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating (author) and Marta Álvarez Miguéns (illustrator), you'll love this heartwarming story of adventure and perseverance.

Great for parents who are looking

Books about perseverance for kidsBooks about the ocean for kidsChildren's picture books about the oceanAdventure kids booksOctopus books for kidsDeductive reasoning books for kidsEducational children's booksChildren's picture books for ages 4-8Adventure books for kids 5-7Kid's books about determination

Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2023

5 people are currently reading
2 people want to read

About the author

Holly Rampone

3 books1 follower
As a mother, entrepreneur, doctor of acupuncture- with a specialization in oncology, Holly Rampone knows perseverance first hand. She’s continually reminded of the importance of perseverance through the stories her cancer patients share, which inspired this book—as did her daughter, who was born 11 weeks early, spent 9 weeks in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), and today is a healthy, loving little bookworm.

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Tonja Drecker.
Author 3 books237 followers
January 24, 2025
Not only adventure meets these pages, but a message surrounding perseverance swims along with it as well as the goodness of octopus facts.

Paco is headed out to discover what the ocean holds, and to help maintain the bravery to do it, he remembers his mother's words about perseverance. Along with the new sites and beauty, he runs into danger and needs to do his best to make it through. A couple almost mean his end, but he does his best to make it through.

I'm going to start with the illustrations because these are more than enjoyable to flip through and gaze at. The ocean scenes come across nicely with the blue hues, watery touch, and dusting of cuteness tossed in. The are calming and inviting, even when danger mounts...just right for the intended audience level.

The tale is quick-paced as Paco heads from one situation into the next on his journey. There's enough tension and excitement to keep the attention of even reluctant listeners. And this does make a lovely read-aloud. As the adventure unfolds, the author weaves in octopus facts. Several of these will probably surprises young listeners and grow their respect for the animals. But then, Paco is adorable anyway.

It's a lovely read with lots of goodness on several fronts.
Profile Image for K.L. Bernard.
Author 1 book22 followers
February 8, 2025
Paco is super excited to explore the coral reef he calls home! On his adventure, he bravely faces some challenges, like a sneaky barracuda on the hunt for a snack and a starved tiger shark looking for lunch. To top it off, he even gets tangled up in some old fishing line! But each time danger strikes, Paco remembers his mom’s wise words: “You beat your fear when you persevere!”

The artwork is vibrant, detailed, and bursting with life, making the coral reef come alive in a way that will delight young readers. It inspires kids to embrace their curiosity. This adorable story is a fantastic way for parents and teachers to share all about an octopus's amazing life and its incredible body and internal organs, showcasing what makes it such a special creature of the sea!
Profile Image for Maha Kadafour.
Author 2 books2 followers
September 23, 2024
Beating fear to enjoy the wonders of the ocean

This is such a lovely story with a great message. Paco the octopus goes on a very wild adventure and encounters a lot of obstacles in pursuit of exploring the coral reef. Kiddos will also learn many amazing facts about octopus as they follow along with how Paco navigates the obstacles he encounters on this journey. I love the overall message of persevering through difficult times to realize your dreams. Very well done!
908 reviews
December 3, 2023
Excellent story and beautiful illustrations

Learn about octopuses by reading this fun cleverly written story in addition to what is perseverance. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is interesting while giving you facts the octopuses.
Profile Image for paigesofsmut.
189 reviews13 followers
July 18, 2024
My toddler woke up and wanted a bedtime story. This was cute. He liked it and he fell asleep while I read it 🥰 also i am counting this toward my reading goal because im behind ☠️
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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