EDITOR’S CHOICE
Charming, heartwarming, and delightfully fun! Octavia Can Do It! celebrates independence, perseverance, and teamwork with humour, engaging storytelling, and vibrant illustrations.
Liliana Tommasini’s Octavia Can Do It! is a delightful and heartwarming picture book that perfectly captures the boundless energy, determination, and occasional misadventures of childhood. With charming illustrations by Amariah Rauscher, this story follows the spirited Octavia as she embarks on a baking adventure, determined to prove she can do it all on her own.
Octavia’s enthusiasm is infectious, and her “I can do it” attitude is both endearing and relatable. Young readers will enjoy watching her mix, stir, and create—though perhaps with more mess than success! As flour and cocoa coat the kitchen, Octavia begins to realise that sometimes, even the most independent individuals need a little help. The story beautifully conveys the balance between self-reliance and teamwork, making it a great lesson for children learning to navigate their own sense of independence.
Tommasini’s writing is engaging and light-hearted, with a rhythmic flow that makes it a joy to read aloud. The narrative is infused with warmth and humour, ensuring that both children and adults will be entertained. Rauscher’s illustrations complement the text perfectly, capturing Octavia’s determination, the chaos of her baking experiment, and the love between mother and daughter.
Octavia Can Do It! is a fantastic addition to any child’s bookshelf, celebrating perseverance, learning through mistakes, and the importance of asking for help. It’s a must-read for young readers, especially those who love to get their hands messy in the kitchen!
