Reviews

Cowboy & Octopus by Lane Smith, Jon Scieszka

marpesea's review

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4.0

This was charming and quirky, but watching my husband cackle as he read it elevated it to four stars.

mrsbond's review

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3.0

Not my favorite, but I can see some kids loving it. Cowboy's witlessness matched with Octopus' patience reminds me of alternate universe odd couple.

jallertep's review

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5.0

Hilarious!

drpschmidt's review

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4.0

SILLY silly, laugh out loud with your kids SILLY!!!

booksandchow's review

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5.0

Probably the funniest children's book I've ever read!!!

libraryrobin's review

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3.0

Enjoyable collage illustrations with a story of an unlikely friendship

boureemusique's review

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3.0

I liked the surreal craziness of this book, but it's a book for adults more than it is for young children. As a friend of mine said, children need narrative structure, and this ain't got it.

cmbohn's review

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4.0

Themes: friendship, honesty, fun
Setting: the playground, Cowboy's house and Octopus's house

Cowboy is trying to seesaw, but it doesn't work with just one person. Then Octopus comes along and the two become friends. This is a very silly book, but it made me smile. If the idea of a cowboy and an octopus being friends doesn't sound like fun, don't bother with the book. That's pretty much the whole story. Cowboy invites his friend over for a surprise dinner - beans with bacon. Octopus doesn't like beans, but he likes his friend, so he eats one to be polite. There are a few more stories, but they are all pretty much like that. The pictures are great. It's just a fun book about two unlikely friends. 4 stars.

ladyliterateur12's review

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4.0

Unique and funny in its own right. Guaranteed smile, especially liked "cause that's the truth" :)

libraryjen's review

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2.0

I expected much better from the duo of Scieszka & Smith. :( Other than the juxtaposition of a ocean creature and a cowboy, there's nothing particularly outstanding about this book. The story goes downhill quickly after the first 3 spreads. The artwork is distracting. I had hoped to use this with my preschoolers for a friendship theme but it's just not up to snuff. Two stars instead of one because the first 3 spreads were amusing. Sorry, not recommended.