Mary and the Octopus: A Children's Tale of Dubious Friendship

Mary's in a jam. She's a curious, energetic 7-year-old, and she's only got 5 minutes left of bath time. She's gotta think of something fast. Oh, that's it! Underwater imagination adventure! Down, down, down into the ocean depths she goes until she meets a squishy stranger. Introductions are made, an awful pun is delivered and a shaky bond is forged.

“Mary and the Octopus: A Children's Tale of Dubious Friendship” is the debut picture book from children's author and illustrator Scott Lemonier, a former journalist who left the cynical world of newsprint to share his silly, funny stories.

Thirty-eight pages of brightly-colored illustrations deliver some snappy dialogue, a strong female character and a grudging appreciation for one of nature's most interesting and intelligent cephalopods. This is the first in a series of imagination adventures that Mary will be taking, including trips to outer (and inner) space, meeting a variety of cool and unique animals, historical figures and maybe even a stint as a super hero!