The Octopus Escapes
What’s inside...
From a New York Times bestselling author comes this poignant, lyrical tale about nature's great escape artist—perfect for fans of the Oscar-winning documentary film My Octopus Teacher. The octopus is happy in his undersea cave until one day, a diver captures him and takes him to live in an aquarium. The humans give him food and tests that look like toys. But every day is the same, and the octopus soon tires of captive life. And so, under the cover of darkness, he makes his daring escape. Maile Meloy and Felicita Sala bring us a story full of excitement and heart, about the thrill of hard-won freedom and the pull of home.
Discussion points
Why do you think the octopus wanted to escape, and how did it make you feel?
What would you do if you were in the octopus's place?
How did the other characters in the book react to the octopus’s escape?
What does this story teach us about the importance of freedom and having a home?
Can you think of a time when you wanted to change something about your surroundings? What did you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of the octopus, fostering empathy and understanding. Highlight the themes of freedom and adaptability when discussing the book. Use expressive reading to bring the story's emotions to life, making the conversation more engaging and relatable. Ask your child to draw parallels between the octopus's journey and their own experiences, personalizing the story's impact.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of freedom and autonomy
Explanation: The story follows an octopus who tries various creative methods to escape from captivity and return to its natural ocean habitat.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the value of personal freedom and the right of all beings to live in their natural environment. It teaches respect and empathy towards animals and their needs.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, the octopus faces many challenges but continues trying different strategies to escape, demonstrating resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: This lesson emphasizes the importance of persistence in overcoming obstacles in life. Children can apply this mindset to their own challenges in school and personal activities.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing differences
Explanation: The octopus's behavior and characteristics are very different from the humans in the story, highlighting diversity in the natural world.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate diversity and understand that being different is valuable and contributes to the richness of our world. It encourages acceptance and inclusivity among peers.
Example Lesson: The power of curiosity
Explanation: The octopus’s actions are driven by its curiosity about the world outside its tank, leading it to explore possibilities of escape.
Real-World Application: Fostering curiosity can lead to learning and discovery. This can inspire children to explore their interests deeply, leading to a lifelong love for learning.
Example Lesson: Impact of human actions on wildlife
Explanation: The book subtly explores themes of captivity and the human impact on marine life, prompting reflections about ethics and conservation.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think critically about human-animal relationships and the importance of ethical treatment and conservation of wildlife.