Description

---

"A love letter to moms everywhere and a reminder that you’re enough, even if you don’t have eight arms." —Kristen Bell, actress, parent, producer, and coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller The World Needs More Purple People

"Adorable and resonant for any busy mom." —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

When I wake up in the morning, the first things I see are Mommy's arms, open wide, to give a hug to me.

My Mommy the Octopus is the endearing story of a young child who has everything they want . . . except a mother with eight arms!

Take one mom with two arms, add a young child who dreams of a Mommy with more, and you have a captivating tale of fun! Like many moms, she juggles caring for her little one while working from home all at the same time.

My Mommy the Octopus is a heartwarming story told from the eyes of a child who dreams of a mother with more arms to play—but then decides two is the perfect number for hugs. With amusing, engaging copy written by Wendy Gerber and Nonnie Gerber and whimsical illustrations by Tori Davis, this charming story will keep you and your child smiling from beginning to end.

About the Author

---

Wendy Gerber was inspired with the idea for My Mommy, the Octopus when her children were young. She wished she were an octopus so she could play with her children and build a successful career—at the same time! She wrote this book for moms and dads everywhere who wish they had more arms to juggle it all. Wendy loves to write and is a global brand strategist and corporate storyteller. She started her career as an international lawyer and lives in New York City. Wendy has three wonderful children, Alexander, Samantha and Jaxie, and an adorable grandson, Arlo. They are the inspiration for this book and the illustrations (Arlo’s puppy, Millie, is too!). Learn more at www.WendyGerber.com

Nonnie Gerber is a TV journalist who reports facts as a news broadcaster and enjoys writing fiction as an author. She often wished for more arms while trying to juggle chasing foster kids with chasing news leads. Nonnie lives at the beach, where you can find her running by the ocean with her two mixed breed husky dogs, Dakota and Indiana, rescued from the wild. Stay tuned for her next book about their thousand-mile eight-month journey back home to each other. Meet Nonnie and pack at https://vimeo.com/caltvnews1

Tori Davis is an animation art director with more than fifteen years experience in the animation industry that has taken her all around the world. She currently lives in the Lake District, in the UK. Affectionately referred to as “The LEGO Lady,” she teaches stop motion animation as play therapy to kids (and big kids) in schools and hospitals. When she’s not drawing or creating characters, Tori can always be found at her happy place, walking for miles down the beach with her dogs. Find out more at www.tori-cat.com

Praise For…

---

"A love letter to moms everywhere and a reminder that you’re enough, even if you don’t have eight arms." —Kristen Bell, actress, parent, producer, and coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller The World Needs More Purple People

"Adorable and resonant for any busy mom." —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A warm-hearted and loving story that should appeal to kids, parents, and octopuses." —Douglas McGrath, director of Emma and Academy Award nominee

“Oh, do I feel seen. This delightful book told from a child’s point of view exposes the many roles of mom and the near impossibility of actually doing it all successfully. I’m so glad this story exists for parents everywhere who feel overwhelmed and under-appreciated! The struggle is real.” —Zibby Owens, host of the award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books and author of Princess Charming and Bookends

"A child's charming account of what every parent thinks they need, only to find that they are enough as they are." —Anne-Marie Slaughter, author of Unfinished Business: Men Women Work and Family, and CEO, New America

"Adorable read and every mother’s wish! — To have enough hands to do it all so we don't miss a moment engaged and playing with our little ones. My Mommy, the Octopus is an imaginative way of having this conversation with your child.  With so many parents holding down massive careers from home, this book is a really fun and creative way to explain to our sweet babies, who just want to play, that Mommy also has to do some work! Love the art, love the rhyme—it’s a wonderful addition to my son's little library." — Cerina Vincent, actress and author of Everybody Has a Belly Button

“Mommies have so much to do that they need eight arms! Mommy’s arms, open wide for a hug, greet a child in the morning to begin a busy day. The mother, who works from home, has a list of tasks that include making calls, writing emails, preparing reports, doing laundry, and cooking. Although the child laments 'she left out play!' Mommy does a super job of juggling household tasks and work while still finding time to play, and the child is independent enough to build block towers and create animals from clay during Mommy’s video call. Still, during nap time, the child dreams of a bright pink octopus that has one arm to handle all of Mommy’s work and seven more for tending to the child. When the child wakes to another hug, the illustration shows faint octopus tentacles, complete with two tentacles curled to make a heart behind Mommy. Mommy and child continue their day and, at bedtime, conclude that having eight arms like an octopus might be helpful for getting things done, but two arms are just right for giving and receiving a hug. Brightly colored illustrations against a white background and close-ups of emotional moments keep the focus on the busy day and the loving interactions between parent and child. The child has sandy hair and a light complexion, while the mother has chestnut hair, a slightly darker complexion, and a wrist tattoo. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A tribute to mothers everywhere who juggle work, home, and child rearing with love and plenty of hugs. (Picture book. 3-6)” —Kirkus Reviews