Most children have probably wished for a little more time with their mom. In If Mom Became an Octopus, written by C.M. Healy, one little boy imagines different animals his mom could become to help solve the everyday problems she complains about. As he listens to her, he imagines a new animal that could make her busy life a little easier.  

The story is built around everyday moments children can easily understand. His mom has too many chores; she’s trying to get everyone out the door on time, and she has too much to carry. These are things many families experience. But children don’t always see those frustrations the same way adults do. This little boy hears his mom’s complaints and, with a child’s imagination, comes up with simple animal solutions that make perfect sense to him. It’s a creative way to show how children often use their imagination to make sense of the world around them.  

The book is written in rhyme, and the repeating pattern makes it easy for children to anticipate what comes next. As each new problem comes up, they’ll enjoy wondering which animal will appear. The rhyme also keeps the story moving along without drawing attention to itself, which isn’t always easy to do. Many children will have fun joining in with the repeated words once they pick up on the pattern. 

The heart of the story becomes clear in the ending. The message comes across naturally instead of feeling like the story is trying to teach a lesson.  

The illustrations continue telling the story beyond the words on the page, and that’s an important part of a picture book. They should support the story and help tell it, not just decorate the page. In If Mom Became an Octopus, they do exactly that by bringing the boy’s imagination to life in a fun and engaging way.    

The simplicity of the storytelling is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Its simple structure is well matched to its intended audience of preschoolers and early elementary readers. The animals are fun, but they’re really just a way for the boy to figure something out. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the animals aren’t really the point of the story. Rather than asking whether his mom could become an octopus or another animal, the story looks at how a child sees a parent’s busy world. Ultimately, the imagined animals reveal what the story is about: it’s a story about the relationship between a little boy and his mom. 

While young children are the obvious audience, I think parents will appreciate this story just as much. Parents who have ever wished there were a few more hours in the day may even see a little of themselves in this mother, making the story relatable for adults as well as children. The playful animal premise makes the story fun for children, while its thoughtful look at family life gives parents just as much to enjoy. CM Healy combines wit, charm, engaging rhyme, and a heartfelt message to create a picture book that children will enjoy and parents will appreciate.