Shine the Spotlight on Autism

Leo and the Octopus
Written by Isabelle Marinov & Illustrated by Chris Nixon
Age Level: 4-8 Years
Published January 1, 2021

It’s hard to read people.

Sometimes I choose a book for it’s delightful storytelling. Sometimes I choose a book for the importance of its subject. This week, I have the privilege of sharing a story that epitomizes both.

For Leo, an autistic child, the world is too bright, too loud, and too stressful. People are also tricky; their facial expressions and body language are difficult to interpret so he has trouble making friends. But all of that changes when Leo goes to the aquarium and meets Maya, a giant Pacific octopus who looks just as unusual as he feels. Like Leo, Maya is an intelligent creature who is sensitive to her environment. She changes color and texture according to her mood, turning white and smooth when she’s happy and bright red when she’s upset. Leo has no trouble deciphering Maya’s emotions thanks to her color coded feelings. In a thoughtful narrative interlaced with fun octopus facts, we see Leo’s confidence and happiness grow with their relationship.

“ ‘She has eight arms, three hearts, and a beak like a parrot,’ said Edgar, the octopus keeper.”

Author Isabelle Marinov has an autistic son and her experience comes through in her careful and sensitive crafting of Leo’s character. I appreciate that she doesn’t generalize, presenting characteristics of Leo’s neurodivergence that are helpful in educating readers while not insinuating that all autistic people are the same. And with Maya the octopus’s help, she succeeds in telling a story that is just as unique and special as Leo himself.