Hello, My Name Is . . .: How Adorabilis Got His Name

by Marisa Polansky, Joey Chou (Illustrator)

Overview

Inspired by a true event! In the summer of 2015, an adorable new species of octopus was discovered on the ocean floor—this picture book story imagines how this cute creature got his name.

Deep down in the water lives an octopus small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. But he doesn’t have a name! Anglerfish is named for his hook like an angler, Mimic Octopus for her ability to change shape and color, and Giant Squid is GIANT! But this little guy doesn’t have the same abilities as the other creatures. What could his name be? With Marisa Polansky's sweet text and Joey Chou's dynamic illustrations, Hello, My Name Is... imagines how the cutest creature in the sea got his name. The story includes a note from a scientist about the naming process and more information about Adorabilis.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780374305062
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	05/15/2018
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	304,993
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Marisa Polansky is a writer and editor. She is also the founder of Speech Tank, a speech-writing company specializing in one-of- a-kind speeches. She lives in New York.

Joey Chou is an animator and illustrator. He has worked as a visual development artist on feature animated films and television, including Kung Fu Panda, and illustrated Disney's Finding Nemo: Nemo's Day Off. His picture books include Ruby's Chinese New Year, written by Vicki Lee. He lives in Los Angeles.

Editorial Reviews

“Disney artist Chou's digital illustrations are the draw here. Finding Nemo: Nemo's Day Off fans will recognize these big-eyed sea creatures. In the final spread, two of Adorabilis' tentacles form a heart, emphasizing its over-the-top cuteness. . .A sweet dessert for storytime.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A sweet imagined story of how the Adorabilis octopus got his name. . .The bubbly typeface paired with Chou’s whimsical, geometric illustrations complement Polansky’s story well. Adorabilis is an endearing character. . .A fun option for preschool storytimes and as an introduction to sea creatures.” —School Library Journal

“Little ones will eagerly dive into this all-around adorable first glimpse at ocean fauna.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

04/01/2018
PreS-Gr 2—A sweet imagined story of how the Adorabilis octopus got his name. The tiny, pink flapjack octopus, drawn here with giant eyes and floppy earlike fins, is the newest resident of a deep-sea tank. As he meets his neighbors, he learns how they were given names that are related to their unique features or abilities by scientists (the Fangtooth's sharp teeth, the moon jelly's ability to glow, etc.). The diminutive protagonist continues to introduce readers to aquatic life as he wonders and worries about what his name will be, all leading to a cheery and adorable resolution. Readers will delight in the book's thoughtful presentation. The bubbly typeface paired with Chou's whimsical, geometric illustrations complement Polansky's story well. Adorabilis is an endearing character—bulbous and Pokémon-like in image, the cute octopus cheerfully greets his neighbors with a "Good mooorning!" An ending note describes how scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute actually named the cute octopus. VERDICT A fun option for preschool storytimes and as an introduction to sea creatures.—Phuong Vu, West Jordan Library, UT

School Library Journal

2018-02-19
An octopus and his tank mates agree that the scientist studying him has found the perfect name.Polansky imagines a tiny pink octopus new to the aquarium, conversing with the others who, improbably, share his tank: an anglerfish, a yeti crab, a mimic octopus, a fangtooth, a six-gill shark (actual size 9 to 12 feet), a clownfish, a moon jelly, and a giant squid (over 40 feet). They tell him that some creatures are named for their appearance, others for things they do. When the keeper arrives, she has the name that fits best: Adorabilis. The sea creatures are male and female, the scientist a brown-haired white woman. Disney artist Chou's digital illustrations are the draw here. Finding Nemo: Nemo's Day Off fans will recognize these big-eyed sea creatures. In the final spread, two of Adorabilis' tentacles form a heart, emphasizing its over-the-top cuteness. An afterword from the scientist who has been studying the actual creature at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute discusses the discovery of this new flapjack octopus and reveals that "Adorabilis" was originally a joke name that went public. However, she does not tell readers and listeners how animals actually get their scientific names, a regrettable lack.A sweet dessert for storytime. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

Read More