Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781534480445 (pbk), 9781534401914 (hc), c2018, 2020
Format: Paperback
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Genre: Picture book
What did you like about the book? Inky the octopus became an international sensation when he escaped his home in the New Zealand Aquarium in 2016. This creative re-telling of his story begins with a delightful imagining of his life as a youngster before he arrived at the aquarium. While no one truly knows how he escaped, most surmise that he made his way out to the Pacific Ocean via a drainage pipe where he returned to his natural habitat to live a happy life. The endnote describes the facts behind Inky’s escape, and it also details other octopus escape stories, too. The endpapers list fun octopus facts and suggestions for further reading. The lush illustrations are mixed media and collage, providing a colorfully playful backdrop for Inky’s adventure.
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? Fans of the Nemo video series will enjoy this real-life adventure story, as will those who have followed Inky’s escape online and through the aquarium’s picturebook “Inky the Octopus”.
Who should buy this book? Elementary and public libraries
Where would you shelve it? 594.56
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Linda Broderick, Lincoln Street Elementary School, Northboro, MA
Date of review: 3/14/2021
Youth Services Book Review 
You must be logged in to post a comment.