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Roof Octopus
When Nora hears a soft "tap, tap, tap" at her bedroom window she never expects it to be the tentacle of a very large octopus, but that's exactly what it is--an octopus on her apartment building. The octopus turns out to be a very neighborly sort of octopus, helping the residents to wash their cars or weed the window boxes, and Nora makes fast friends with him. But one morning, the octopus is nowhere in sight. Has he moved on already? And just when Nora wanted to bring him for Show and Tell!
32 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2018
5 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Branam
4 books7 followersLucy Branam lives and writes in Jacksboro, TN. She is a young writer who hopes that as she ages, her bio will get longer and more interesting.
She is the author of the picture books Roof Octopus (2018) and Monday (2021), both from Sleeping Bear Press.
Aside from writing, Lucy also enjoys art and is a graphic designer for a non-profit. Sometimes she goes for runs. Often she reads. But she is always daydreaming.
She is the author of the picture books Roof Octopus (2018) and Monday (2021), both from Sleeping Bear Press.
Aside from writing, Lucy also enjoys art and is a graphic designer for a non-profit. Sometimes she goes for runs. Often she reads. But she is always daydreaming.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
September 22, 2018
The artwork of this little gem is ENCHANTING! I love this swirls on the arms of the octopus. I love the sureal nature of the art and all the shapes and colors. The trees are amazing in this. I love the wonky buildings and I love the big bulbous octopus just hanging out on the roof being friendly. Who came up with this? This Lucy Branam is someone I want to follow. She is amazing.
Nora wakes up one morning to find a huge octopus on the roof of her apartment. It becomes a fixture in the neighborhood. Enchanting, that's what this is.
My niece finds her own books at the library with her mom and they picked this out. My nephew read this twice before reading it with me. He loves this book. He gives it a 5 star rating and the niece gives it 4 stars. I agree with them. This is one of my finds of the year. It is such an amazing book. I can't wait to see more from Lucy. I have been put under her spell.
Nora wakes up one morning to find a huge octopus on the roof of her apartment. It becomes a fixture in the neighborhood. Enchanting, that's what this is.
My niece finds her own books at the library with her mom and they picked this out. My nephew read this twice before reading it with me. He loves this book. He gives it a 5 star rating and the niece gives it 4 stars. I agree with them. This is one of my finds of the year. It is such an amazing book. I can't wait to see more from Lucy. I have been put under her spell.
January 23, 2022
Coelho's illustrations are richly detailed, beautifully colored, with a style that evokes art of the 1920s for me. Which is good because the text could tell an equally weird but super creepy story with a different artist.
As it is, it is charming and I would love to live in the city with Nora and her family and neighbors. And an octopus on the roof.
Library copy
As it is, it is charming and I would love to live in the city with Nora and her family and neighbors. And an octopus on the roof.
Library copy
August 30, 2018
This is one of those books that's a bit short on story, but long on aesthetic appeal. I loved the illustrations in this one. They're whimsical, colourful, and very fun.
It's a short book, so I don't really know what else to say. If you're looking for a kids' book with unique illustrations and a cute little story to match, give this one a try.
It's a short book, so I don't really know what else to say. If you're looking for a kids' book with unique illustrations and a cute little story to match, give this one a try.
March 1, 2019
When a young girl looks out her apartment window one day, she finds that a massive octopus has taken up residence on the roof of her building. This octopine visitor disconcerts the residents at first, but his neighborly ways - helping to wash cars, holding open doors, providing a swing for the building's children - soon win them over. The girl is particularly fond of the octopus, and invites him to visit her class during their upcoming show-and-tell session. Dismayed when he disappears the next day, she is overjoyed when he reappears at the end of the week - this time on the roof of her school!
The second picture-book I have read that is illustrated by the marvelously talented Brazilian artist Rogério Coelho - the first was Books Do Not Have Wings , by Brynne Barnes - Roof Octopus is a visually stunning title, featuring gorgeous illustrations. I loved the use of color here, and the many little designs on the octopus' tentacles, which give them a lovely textured appearance. The story itself was entertaining - it helps, of course, that I am a huge fan of octopodes! - and will keep young listeners engaged. Recommended to anyone looking for imaginative and humorously surreal picture-book adventures, in the vein of such titles as Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem .
The second picture-book I have read that is illustrated by the marvelously talented Brazilian artist Rogério Coelho - the first was Books Do Not Have Wings , by Brynne Barnes - Roof Octopus is a visually stunning title, featuring gorgeous illustrations. I loved the use of color here, and the many little designs on the octopus' tentacles, which give them a lovely textured appearance. The story itself was entertaining - it helps, of course, that I am a huge fan of octopodes! - and will keep young listeners engaged. Recommended to anyone looking for imaginative and humorously surreal picture-book adventures, in the vein of such titles as Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem .
May 9, 2021
Beautiful illustrations. Creative theme. What’s up with the end?
June 14, 2020
Beautiful magical illustrations and an octopus that appeared one day on the roof of an apartment building. Such a wonderful story that I highly recommend it to kids of all ages.
March 17, 2018
I loved this beautiful picture book! This is a book that you have to read and see to believe. Lucy Branam's debut picture book is a fanciful combination of a story that young children will be immersed in along with beautiful and phenomenal illustrations by Roge´rio Coelho. I read this book to a 3-year-old and she totally got the fact that an octopus could live on the top of an apartment building. No mistake about it, an octopus can help deliver mail, be a swing for three friends, or help walk a dog.
March 14, 2018
When an octopus sets up house atop Nora's apartment building, no one can believe that such a creature would do such a thing. Most of them ignore the octopus, but not Nora. She knows its intentions are harmless and that it's friendly. As it turns out, Nora is right. The octopus makes itself useful in many different ways, and the girl and the octopus become friends. It even promises to visit her school for Show-and-Tell. But when the octopus is gone for several days, Nora is disappointed. She need not have been since this is one octopus that would never let a friend down, and it eventually keeps its promise, and is hanging out on top of her school. I'm not sure how it arrived there or at her apartment or for what reason, but I have no doubt that this story will delight many an imaginative reader who will be on the outlook for an octopus of their own. While the story itself was a bit odd because of the whole notion of an octopus in a city instead of the ocean, the illustrations, filled with a hodgepodge of colors, tints, tones, and shapes, and intricate tentacles that reach out for a friendly caress or to lend a helping hand, really impressed me.
October 12, 2018
There's so much to like about this story---the novelty of the story, the beautiful illustrations, the wonderful way the octopus becomes a help rather than a burden....Nora wakes up to see an octopus on her apartment building. The octopus gradually comes to be an important part of the community, and then Nora invites the octopus to come to school with her, and it disappears. She doesn't see him for several days and then he reappears---on her school. I was quite delighted with the story though I found the ending too abrupt and inexplicable for me.
March 3, 2023
An interesting book. It is fun, but I really want to know how the octopus got on the roof!
Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!
Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!
September 18, 2018
This book ends disappointingly abrupt.
August 31, 2018
Love this book! So imaginative and beautiful! I want an octopus on my roof!
August 20, 2018
I really like the color palette, but in some places it was hard to differentiate objects and surroundings. Cute idea but very light on story.
Read
May 6, 2018When you get into the groove of a daily routine, you usually fail to notice some worthy sights in the scenery of your world. We tend to focus our thoughts on the past or the upcoming future instead of living in the present. We also are not looking for anything out of the ordinary.
We would never expect to see a giraffe loping along the side of the road in the northern Michigan woods. It would be a rare happening to see an alligator strolling down the street in Times Square, New York City. The debut children's book of author Lucy Branam with illustrations by Brazilian artist Rogerio Coelho, Roof Octopus (Sleeping Bear Press, March 1, 2018), is a marvelous, imaginative exploration in the unexpected.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
We would never expect to see a giraffe loping along the side of the road in the northern Michigan woods. It would be a rare happening to see an alligator strolling down the street in Times Square, New York City. The debut children's book of author Lucy Branam with illustrations by Brazilian artist Rogerio Coelho, Roof Octopus (Sleeping Bear Press, March 1, 2018), is a marvelous, imaginative exploration in the unexpected.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
July 25, 2018
An octopus appears on an apartment building out of nowhere eventually starts helping the people in the neighborhood with whatever they're doing. A little girl, Nora, asks the octopus to go to her show-and-tell and he agrees, however, the next day he disappears. He eventually appears on top of her school.
March 20, 2019
Very pretty pictures! But the story was only mildly entertaining. Even the language used to tell the story let me down, as it was awkward at times. And unfortunately, when the whole book can be read in under 6 minutes, each word and every phrasing bears great weight for the structure at large.
June 25, 2018
I loved the illustrations in this book. They were very whimsical with a beautiful flow and color scheme. The plot was an alright plot, but would allow children to envision what they would do if an octopus was on their roof.
Read
August 2, 2018Octopuses can't live on roofs, or they'll die. And one day, a boy told me that they'll die if they're on the sand, and I don't like that guy so much so I should not see him again at the beach. (I saw him at the beach that we went to with Matt.)
March 2, 2018
Bwahahaha! This book is wonderfully surreal, silly, and lushly illustrated. Kids and adults will be grinning at what adventures occur when a giant octopus takes up residence on a roof!
March 19, 2018
Beautiful illustrations.
March 23, 2018
Gorgeous illustrations and an interesting story. Can I have a roof octopus?
March 26, 2018
I loved this book! The illustrations are gorgeous! Almost has a Klimt feel to it.
April 5, 2018
Cute, but directionless at the end.
April 9, 2018
Favorite part was the illustrations! Beautiful!
April 24, 2018
The illustrations are lovely and vibrant. The story is only okay.
May 3, 2018
This is one of the most beautiful children's books I've read in a long time, and who wouldn't want a roof octopus??
June 7, 2018
What an odd little book! I loved the illustrations. The ending was very abrupt.
July 21, 2018
Far out and imaginative. I'm so glad the octopus keeps his promise.
January 16, 2021
GORGEOUS illustrations. It is a little light on story - a whimsical idea of a helpful roof octopus, but the clear winner here is the illustrations.
March 8, 2023
Excellent first page. I'm engaged already by the skilful storytelling by Lucy Branam and the fantasy-perfect, jewel-like illustrations by Rogerio Coelho.
Could be, that roof octopus is far more helpful than most humans.
Of course, points out this adult Goodreader, that octopus may have no needs. If he doesn't need water, why would he need money?
BACK TO THE STORY ABOUT ROOF OCTOPUS
"But what it liked to do best of all was to be a swing for Nora and her friends."
Sweet! So endearing to the readership group for this picture book!
Note: Readers, I'd recommend that you catch the humor from the landlord. Apart from the general playfulness in the background of this book, this was my only LOL moment reading "Roof Octopus."
THE ONE PROBLEM, FOR ME, WITH AN OTHERWISE LOVELY BOOK
Sadly, I didn't find the ending entirely satisfying. To me, it raised more questions than it answered.
Overall, though, what a lovely fictional adventure this could be for children old enough to know about show-and-tell!
Could be, that roof octopus is far more helpful than most humans.
Of course, points out this adult Goodreader, that octopus may have no needs. If he doesn't need water, why would he need money?
BACK TO THE STORY ABOUT ROOF OCTOPUS
"But what it liked to do best of all was to be a swing for Nora and her friends."
Sweet! So endearing to the readership group for this picture book!
Note: Readers, I'd recommend that you catch the humor from the landlord. Apart from the general playfulness in the background of this book, this was my only LOL moment reading "Roof Octopus."
THE ONE PROBLEM, FOR ME, WITH AN OTHERWISE LOVELY BOOK
Sadly, I didn't find the ending entirely satisfying. To me, it raised more questions than it answered.
Overall, though, what a lovely fictional adventure this could be for children old enough to know about show-and-tell!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews