This is simply one of the greatest and most innovative children's books I have ever seen. I have to give this book 5 out of 5 (but would give it 6 if possible).

Written by Nick Sharratt it is basically a few pages of rhyming octopus with various characteristics as can be seen on the front of the cover, such as an octopus wearing socks, hence socktopus. There are drawings of each octopus and a lot of the pages have pop ups, or fold outs, or bits that move.

This book really helped my youngest child start talking when he was 3 as the words rhyme and the absurdness made him laugh. Now he is a year older he still goes back to this book time and time again. My older child (7 years old) also loves this book, but does get a little (understandably!) fed up with because it is read time and time again.

The only downside is that it is a little short, and so great you really want more. There is also Nick's other book in the same vain of Elephant Wellypant about elephants that is equally as great.