We'll Paint the Octopus Red By Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

 

About Book

Title: We'll Paint the Octopus Red
Author: Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen
Illustrator: Pam Devito
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Special needs
Major Book Awards: No major book awards
Recommended Age Range: 5 to 8
Appropriate Grade Levels: Kinder to 3rd grade

Summary

This book talks about a little girl named Emma who initially did not want to have a sibling, but later on finds out that she was having a baby brother named Isaac. Before his arrival, she imagined all the things that they'd do together such as, playing kickball, feeding the calves at grandpa's farm, make funny faces at cars that passes by, go to an art festival and paint a rubber octopus red, and visit animals in a safari. Emma was now super excited to welcome Isaac. Until, one morning she was informed that Isaac had been born with down syndrome. She was shocked and thought to herself that Isaac won't be able to do all of the things she'd mentioned anymore. Her dad reassured her that Isaac could do them all, but with just a little help and there won't be anything he couldn't do. Later on, she went to the hospital to meet him and tells him that she'll teach him how to paint the octopus red. 

Teacher Evaluation

This book was short and did a great job in bringing awareness to disabilities. Although it only mentioned down syndrome, the message can be used in other special needs topics. And that just because someone has a special need, does not mean they can't do things most people can do. The illustrations were pretty simple, but it was cute and went along well with the text. I would have this book in my classroom library and use it as a fun read aloud to spread the message. I think it'll be appropriate for kindergarten to 3rd grade. It'll teach students to look at those with a disability at a different perspective and have love and acceptance.