The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

Title: The Keeper of the Octopus

Author: Neridah McMullin

Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Published: 1^st October 2025

Format: Paperback

Pages: 272

Price: $17.99

Synopsis: 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.

~*~

Pippy lives with her uncle and a hobgoblin called Ferb in Portablow after the death of her mother and since her father sailed away nine months ago. Now, Uncle Isaac is forgetting things, and the Calamary brothers are fishing with dangerous nets that get sea life they don’t need. But they’re after more than just fish. They’re after a giant octopus called Octavia. Pippy is destined to be the Keeper of the Octopus, and care for it. But when the octopus starts sharing her dreams with Pippy.

To save Octavia, Pippy teams up with a cat, a dog, hobgoblin Ferd, and an albatross, and spends her time working out how to save Octavia, and in turn, her family and the community of Portablow. Grief and discrimination form a large part of this story, as Pippy and her friend Wally navigate a village that sees them differently, and doesn’t listen to them. It is evocative and gentle, but with a sense of foreboding. Something is coming and only Pippy and her family can sense it. It also reflects the very real overfishing and poaching issues that exist in the contemporary world. The conflict between the way the small village wants to live, and how the Calamary brothers treat them and the sea is worked in cleverly, so it’s obvious but not too heavy-handed. It’s there and it fits in with the rest of the story well.

As a reader, I often find the gentle stories about issues that impact out world to be the most effective. Or the ones that are obvious, but that reflect a reality the characters live in without casting judgement on the reader. The vague ones that beat around the bush, or that hint at things, or that feel judgemental might not be as effective. Because it all comes down to how the message is delivered, and in this case, it is done very well. It gives people a chance to discuss and learn well.

I was enthralled by this book, because it captured a timeless world with a touch of magic, coupled with a commentary on some of the issues we face today: grief, environmental issues, bullying and disability. Wally was such a cool character too, and I loved his friendship with Pippy, and that he believed her without question. This is the mark of a true friendship. It was one that I loved, and one that I think kids need to see more of in the books they read. And it’s another reason I love reading kids’ books, because they feel less judgemental and more accepting. This is refreshing, and gives the books available today something special to get behind.

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.