The Keeper of the Octopus
Age 8+
Fantasy & Magical Realism
Engaging, heartfelt and imaginative - magical realism from the award-winning author of Evie and Rhino
Since her father sailed away, Uncle Isaac is the only family Pippy has left. Together they spend their days fishing off the coast, until one day Pippy is knocked into the sea and rescued by a gentle, giant creature …
Uncle Isaac knows it’s time to tell Pippy the truth. Pippy is the descendent of a long line of Keepers – the Keeper of the Octopus, responsible for the giant octopus who protects the fisherfolk of the village. At first, Pippy is hesitant to meet Octavia, but soon the octopus is sharing her dreams with Pippy and they recognise each other as kindred spirits. But when the Calamary Brothers come to Portablow, she learns of their search for a particular giant octopus. It's up to Pippy - and her rag-tag crew of a cat, a dog, a hobgoblin called Ferg and an albatross – to rescue Octavia from the Calamary’s clutches.
Resources
Creators
Neridah McMullin loves animals, true stories and history. An author of twelve books for children, Neridah is also an award-winning short story writer and poet. Her middle-grade fiction novel Evie and Rhino was shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year in 2023, shortlisted for the Readings Prize and won the Australian Speech Pathology Book of the Year for Younger Readers. Her picture books Drover, Shearer and Tearaway Coach, set during the Victorian gold rush, were published to great acclaim. Her picture book Eat my Dust was a CBCA Notable in 2024. Neridah believes she was born at least 100 years too late. She loves old books, old people and local historical societies. She also loves footy, family, walking her dog and meeting other people’s dogs.
Reviews
We give it 5 stars out of five for it’s beautiful descriptions, surprising twists and characters we loved. We’d recommend it to anyone who’s had friendship challenges, lost someone special, or can relate to Pippy’s journey.
Good Reading
This book taught us that everyone makes mistakes – like when Poppy forgot to feed Octavia – and that’s okay. We’d recommend it to anyone who loves adventure, cares about marine life, or wants to see how courage and kindness can make a difference.
Good Reading
Everything in this book came together so well, so eloquently and so beautifully. I was entranced by Pippy’s connection to Octavia, and how they made things work, how they worked to save the octopus and keep her safe. It’s a delight to read, and one that I hope readers will thoroughly enjoy.
The Book Muse
Engaging, heartfelt and imaginative – magical realism from the award-winning author of ‘Evie and Rhino
petrarchs via instagram
Magical realism is a fascinating genre and The Keeper of the Octopus uses its conventions perfectly to create an interesting setting. Hobgoblins live in people’s houses and assist with cooking, and her albatross friend constantly guides her away from danger. Well known for being superstitious, McMullin flawlessly links the various beliefs of fisherman to the genre, resulting in an exciting climax.
Booktober
