Curious Stories That Explore Intelligence, Ocean Life, and the Magic of Tentacles
With their wiggly arms, clever tricks, and ability to change color, octopuses are some of the most amazing creatures in the sea. Books about octopuses spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and teach kids about marine biology in fun and friendly ways.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite octopus books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included hands-on activities and thoughtful questions to help kids dive deeper into learning. Let me know which book becomes your little ocean explorer’s favorite!
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Octopuses?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Octopuses
- 11 Octopus Books For Children
- What Octopus Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Octopuses?
Octopus books show kids just how wild, wonderful, and smart nature can be.
These sea creatures are escape artists, problem-solvers, and shapeshifters. Stories and nonfiction books about octopuses can teach kids about adaptability, observation, and even emotional expression—all through engaging narratives or fascinating facts.
Reading about octopuses introduces kids to ocean science while encouraging wonder and creativity.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Octopuses
Books about octopuses blend science, mystery, and play.
Kids learn about habitats, camouflage, intelligence, and how octopuses survive in the deep sea. Octopus characters often model problem-solving, curiosity, and resilience—making them relatable role models with eight arms and a lot of heart.
Octopus stories show that there’s always more beneath the surface—both in the ocean and in ourselves.
How to Use Books about Octopuses with Children
Here are some hands-on ways to bring octopus stories to life:
- 🐙 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: What would you do with eight arms? or How do you think an octopus feels when it hides in a cave? Use Turn and Talk or small group chats to spark fun and meaningful conversations.
- 🎨 Engage in Octopus-Themed Activities: Make an octopus from paper rolls or clay, try a “camouflage” art project, or measure out eight arms to see how long a real octopus can stretch. You can also create ocean dioramas or do a sensory bin with blue water beads and sea creatures.
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: During science lessons, art projects, or social-emotional discussions, return to the octopus books. Say: Remember how the octopus escaped through a tiny hole? That’s because it doesn’t have bones!
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Read together before a trip to the aquarium or ocean-themed museum. Caregivers can help kids draw their own sea creatures, play ocean trivia, or watch kid-friendly documentaries to expand the learning.
11 Octopus Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 Guess Who Ocean Friends by Jodie Shepherd
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This interactive lift-the-flap book introduces ocean animals, including the clever octopus.
Activity Idea: Make ocean animal flashcards to play a guessing game.
Discussion Questions:
- What clues help you guess each ocean animal?
- Why is an octopus a good hider?
- Which sea animal surprised you most?
#2 Octopants by Suzy Senior
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A silly rhyming story about an octopus on the hunt for the perfect pair of underpants.
Activity Idea: Design silly pants for different sea creatures.
Discussion Questions:
- What made this story funny?
- Why couldn’t the octopus find pants at first?
- What clothing item would be hard for an animal to wear?
#3 How to Hide an Octopus and Other Sea Creatures by Ruth Heller
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A nonfiction rhyming book showing how sea animals like the octopus use camouflage.
Activity Idea: Try a camouflage art project with colored tissue paper and hidden animals.
Discussion Questions:
- How do octopuses protect themselves?
- What is camouflage?
- Which animal in the book hid the best?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 How to Put an Octopus to Bed by Sherri Duskey Rinker
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A chaotic and lovable bedtime story featuring a wriggly octopus who resists sleep.
Activity Idea: Make a bedtime checklist for a silly sea creature.
Discussion Questions:
- What made putting the octopus to bed tricky?
- How do you get ready for bed?
- What helps you fall asleep?
#5 Inky the Octopus by Erin Guendelsberger
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Based on a true story, this tale tells of an octopus who escapes an aquarium to return to the sea.
Activity Idea: Draw a map of Inky’s escape route.
Discussion Questions:
- Why did Inky want to escape?
- How did he get out?
- What would you do if you were Inky?
#6 An Octopus Is Amazing by Patricia Lauber
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A classic informational book explaining the fascinating abilities of octopuses.
Activity Idea: Write three facts about octopuses and share with a friend.
Discussion Questions:
- What surprised you about octopuses?
- How do they move, eat, and hide?
- Why are octopuses important to the ocean?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 Octopuses by Ashley Lee
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Simple nonfiction for early readers packed with real photos and octopus facts.
Activity Idea: Create a fact poster about octopuses.
Discussion Questions:
- What is one thing you learned from this book?
- What do octopuses eat?
- How many hearts does an octopus have?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 Color-Changing Cephalopods by Dona Herweck Rice
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Explore the fascinating world of octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish and their color-shifting powers.
Activity Idea: Use color-changing paint or paper to mimic how cephalopods hide.
Discussion Questions:
- How do cephalopods use color?
- What makes them different from other sea animals?
- What would you do if you could change color?
#9 Ink! by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
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A National Geographic Kids book all about how octopuses and squids use ink and other cool defenses.
Activity Idea: Make a comic showing an octopus using ink to escape.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do octopuses squirt ink?
- What else do they do to stay safe?
- What was your favorite defense trick?
#10 Squid and Octopus: Friends for Always by Tao Nyeu
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Four charming stories of friendship and underwater adventure between a squid and an octopus.
Activity Idea: Create your own story starring a sea creature duo.
Discussion Questions:
- How did Squid and Octopus help each other?
- What does this book teach about friendship?
- Which story was your favorite and why?
#11 Octopus Escapes Again! by Laurie Ellen Angus
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Follow a day in the life of a clever octopus who uses amazing abilities to stay safe.
Activity Idea: Act out an “escape” using props like blankets or boxes.
Discussion Questions:
- How did the octopus escape danger?
- What body parts help it survive?
- Would you like to be an octopus for a day?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Octopus Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Octopus books for kids are the perfect mix of science, silliness, and sea-inspired wonder. Whether your child is fascinated by marine life or just loves learning about cool creatures, these books offer tentacles of learning and fun.
Which octopus adventure are you reading next? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite ocean read-alouds, crafts, or curious sea facts!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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