What happens when a lonely octopus ventures outside his Paris fountain? A humorous adventure through the landmarks of Paris takes Pierre to an unexpected new place. A journey full of surprises for children 3 – 5.

For Immediate Release

Octopus lands in Sausalito

New children’s picture book follows adventurous octopus from Paris to California.

Sausalito, California

A little octopus travels all the way from a Paris fountain to a California swimming pool in “Monsieur Pierre,” a charming new children’s picture book by Sausalito author/illustrator, Anne Dana. Ms. Dana’s book tells the tale of Monsieur Pierre, a lonely octopus, surrounded by international tourists at his Parisian fountain home, who embarks on a search for a friend. His adventure begins among the landmarks of Paris and ends with California’s scenic wonders. Lively, humorous illustrations chronicle his surprising encounters with some of the most famous inhabitants of the City of Light and the beauties of the Golden State.

The book was inspired in part by Ms. Dana’s unusual home. “I’m most lucky to live, write and draw on a motor yacht docked on San Francisco Bay in picturesque Sausalito, California,” she says. “Our little town is a major tourist destination, with hundreds of thousands of tourists a year. The yacht is located right downtown so, just like Monsieur Pierre, I daily encounter visitors from all over the world.” From her yacht, she sees egrets, herons, seals, harbor porpoises, starfish, crabs, rays and other marine life, but sadly, no octopuses, yet. “I’m told that there could be members of the Giant Pacific Octopus species living in the Bay, but more likely they are found in deeper water outside the Golden Gate,” she says.” “I still scan the water every morning when having my coffee on the top deck. Someday I might get lucky and see a real Monsieur Pierre.”

When asked why an octopus is the star of the book, Ms. Dana explained, “I was vacationing in Paris and came across an unusual, hand-knitted octopus toy in a children’s store. That little octopus came home with me and became the inspiration for “Monsieur Pierre.”

The book, published by Sausalito publisher L O Annie Press, is a humorous adventure bound to delight children ages 3 to 5. It is available in hardcover, softcover and eBook online at Amazon.com or by order from any local bookstore. When asked if she could answer the perennial question, “What is the plural of ‘octopus,” Ms. Dana replied, “The true “correct” form is probably “octopodes” since the root word is ancient Greek but “octopuses” and “octopi” are also so widely used, I think they are all acceptable. The only incorrect form is on a menu!”

For more information, please visit www.LOAnniePress.com

Media contact: Anne Dana, 510-305-8400

About L O Annie Press

L O Annie Press is an independent children’s picture book publisher located in Sausalito, California. The company namesake was an orphaned, curly haired mutt called “Little Orphan Annie” or “Annie” for short. Annie was a sweet-tempered, loving, loyal creature. Although she is gone, her legacy lives on in our mission: to generate love and connection, one book at a time.

a look inside Monsieur Pierre

Synopses

132 Character Summary:

Meet Monsieur Pierre! A lonely octopus leaves his Paris fountain in an adventurous journey full of surprises for kids 3-5.

Back Cover Blurb:

Meet Monsieur Pierre! What happens when a lonely octopus ventures outside his Paris fountain? A humorous adventure through the landmarks of Paris takes Pierre to an unexpected new place. A journey full of surprises for ages 3 – 5.

Short Synopsis:

Will an adventurous octopus ever find a friend? Follow Monsieur Pierre Poulpe on a journey from his Parisian fountain through Paris’ most famous landmarks and all the way to California. Humorous illustrations tell a satisfying story for ages 3 – 5.

Medium Synopsis:

Will an adventurous octopus ever find a friend? Follow the lonely Monsieur Pierre Poulpe from his home in a Paris fountain all the way to California. Humorous illustrations chart his search for a friend across the Seine, up the Eiffel Tower, into the Louvre, out to Notre Dame and up Montmartre. Along the way, he surprises some of the most famous inhabitants of the City of Light. Sadly, none of them are eager to befriend a little octopus. Just when it seems all is lost, Pierre has a clever idea that takes him to a new land with two new friends. In a surprise ending, Pierre and his new friends are visited in his new home by some of the famous Parisians he left behind.

Reviews

The US Review of Books

January 22, 2017

Monsieur Pierre
by Anne Dana
L.O.Annie Press

reviewed by Michael Radon

"Pierre ran after the visitors down to the river Seine. Everyone admired the city. Snap! Click! Smile!"

Monsieur Pierre Poulpe is a small octopus that was fished out of the ocean and placed in one of Paris's many decorative fountains. Though he is a cheerful and happy octopus, what he really wants more than anything is a friend. Since the Mademoiselle Poisson statues refuse to speak with him, Pierre leaves his fountain and joins a tour group to see Paris. Despite travelling to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and other tourist hotspots, nobody notices Pierre as they are too busy snapping photos of the landmarks. Dejected, Pierre returns to his fountain only to be discovered by two tourist children from California who adopt Pierre and bring him home to start the first of many both friendships and adventures.

Inspired by a hand-knitted octopus that the author bought on a vacation in Paris, the pictures and words of this story work together to show children the splendors of the capital of France. While Pierre is the only real consistent character for the majority of the story, eagle-eyed readers will be able to spot recurring figures and images within the tour group in France as well as after Pierre begins his life in the United States. The full-color illustrations on every single page give added detail to all of the details of the story and each were illustrated by the author herself. Teaching both a zeal for travel as well as the value of a friend, this book is perfect for children who love an adventure or for those who are nervous about an upcoming trip or vacation.

This review was written by a professional book reviewer with no guarantee that it would receive a positive rating. Some authors pay a small fee to have a book reviewed, while others do not. All reviews are approximately half summary and half criticism. The US Review of Books is dedicated to providing fair and honest coverage to all books.

Foreward Clarion Reviews

Monsieur Pierre
Reviewed by Peter Dabbene
February 3, 2017

Clever illustrative touches and an adventurous main character make this a fun story about the pleasures of friendship.

In Anne Dana’s delightful picture book Monsieur Pierre, a small orange octopus with a mustache sees the sights in Paris and California.

Monsieur Pierre Poulpe, taken from the ocean as a baby octopus, finds himself living in a Paris fountain. He sets off from there, with the goal of making a friend in the big city, and sees the river Seine, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Montmartre; he does not, however, find a friend. Back at the fountain again, he meets two tourists, children who offer to take him back home to California with them. Pierre trades in his beret for a baseball cap and embraces the California lifestyle, enjoying a seaweed smoothie, a yoga class, beach activities, and the local sights.

The book’s text is simple and effective, with cute observations from Monsieur Pierre’s point of view, like his thoughts on the Mona Lisa: “Pierre tried making silly faces at the lady. The lady kept smiling but didn’t make silly faces back at Pierre.”

The hand-drawn illustrations in Monsieur Pierre, rendered in ink and watercolor pencils, appear raw and rough at times, with the occasional asymmetrical line showing through. But where in some books this would be a negative, here the “natural” illustrations work, seeming to flow organically with the story as Monsieur Pierre moves from one locale to the next.

Dana does an excellent job with the layout of the pages, with eye-catching angles and lots of neat touches, like Monsieur Pierre taking his picture with a selfie stick and insertions of Monsieur Pierre and the children into real photographs of famous sights around California. The details and colors of Paris are especially well done, and young children will enjoy spotting the Mademoiselles Poissons—the fish from Monsieur Pierre’s home fountain—as they appear in the page backgrounds.

Monsieur Pierre is a fun introduction for young children—to Paris, and to the pleasures of sharing an experience with friends.

Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The author of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the author will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Kirkus Reviews

MONSIEUR PIERRE

Written and Illus. byAnne Dana
L O Annie Press
$1.99 e-book
February 18, 2017

BOOK REVIEW

In this debut illustrated children’s book for ages 3 to 5, a French octopus gets lonely and leaves his native fountain to explore Paris and beyond.

Monsieur Pierre Poulpe, a beret-wearing orange octopus with a dapper mustache, has been living in a Paris fountain, along with two fish, the Mademoiselles Poussins, ever since he was a baby. The fish sisters are snooty, though, and talk only to each other, so one day lonesome Pierre decides to follow a diverse group of tourists around Paris. Through coffee and croissants, a boat tour, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Montmarte, Pierre looks around and tries to be friendly, but everyone ignores him. The Notre Dame gargoyles frighten him, and Pierre embarrasses himself with a faux pas. Even the Poussin sisters, who tag along, give him the cold shoulder. Feeling down, Pierre returns to his home fountain, but then two American children come by arguing about what to bring home for souvenirs. “Take me!” shouts Pierre, and they do, kindly holding “some of Pierre’s arms” (great phrase) on the plane so he won’t be scared. Pierre enjoys such California staples as a swimming pool, breakfast smoothie, yoga class, and Bay Area tourist spots, liking it all so much that he settles down in California—though he sometimes has “surprise visitors from Paris,” like a museum guard toting the Mona Lisa and the now-friendly Poussins. In her book, Dana delivers a delightful, colorfully illustrated tale. The human figures are drawn somewhat clumsily, but they’re expressive, and Pierre is full of Gallic charm. As children follow Pierre on his adventures, they can learn something about Paris and its sights; they can also enjoy looking for and finding the Mademoiselles Poussins on all the France-set pages. They can learn a little, too, about the San Francisco area. Children will likely sympathize with Pierre’s loneliness, embarrassment, and fears, which make his new happiness and friendships in California all the sweeter; even the scary gargoyles come to visit along with the formerly snobbish Poussins.

This story provides a charming, warm introduction to Paris for kids, ending on a happy note.

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Author Anne Dana

2-line bio:

Anne Dana, author and illustrator, is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives aboard a boat docked on the San Francisco Bay and has been a cephalopod admirer her entire life.

Short Bio:

Anne Dana, author and illustrator, is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives aboard a motor yacht docked on the San Francisco Bay and has been a cephalopod admirer her entire life. “Monsieur Pierre,” the story of an adventurous octopus’ journey from Paris to California in search of a friend, is available from local bookstores and Amazon online. Contact Anne through her publisher, L O Annie Press into@LOAnniePress.com

Medium Bio:

Anne Dana lives and draws on a motor yacht on the San Francisco Bay in the picturesque town of Sausalito, California. She has always been fascinated with octopuses; those masters of escape and camouflage, quick learners and problem solvers. While on vacation in Paris, she came across a little hand knitted octopus in a children’s store. That little octopus came home to California and the idea for “Monsieur Pierre” was born. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. “Monsieur Pierre” is her first picture book and is available from local bookstores and Amazon online. Contact Anne through her publisher, L O Annie Press into@LOAnniePress.com

Long Bio:

Anne Dana’s first encounter with an octopus occurred at the age of 4 at the Steinhardt Aquarium in San Francisco. Standing on her toes in front of the glass, she spotted the tip of a pale, pink arm peeking out from behind the rocks. That fleeting glimpse of a single appendage hiding in a far corner spawned a curiosity that has lasted her entire life. “I was a shy child and I think that drew me to the idea of a creature that is notoriously shy,” she says. Adding, “Discovering that octopuses are masters of escape and camouflage, quick learners and problem solvers made them my oceanic heroes.” Decades later, she is proud to be the creator and illustrator of a little, fictional octopus, “Monsieur Pierre.”

Anne, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, traces her interest in book illustration back to a childhood attempt involvingcrayons and a picture book on loan from the local library. Unfortunately, that illustration resulted in a large library fine and put her art career on a temporary hold. Anne went on to study liberal arts and received a Master in Library Science. She had a long career as a law librarian but never lost her love of picture books, storytelling, drawing, and handcrafts. She enjoys working in ink, watercolor and colored pencil. She has taken art workshops and classes with Stuart Givot, Robert C. Schick, Robert Regis Dvorak, and others. She also studied picture book writing and illustration in courses from the Children’s Book Academy with Dr. Mira Reisberg.

Anne lives and draws on a motor yacht on the San Francisco Bay in the picturesque town of Sausalito, California. From her yacht, she can see egrets, herons, seals, harbor porpoises, starfish, crabs, rays and other marine life, but sadly, no octopuses, yet. “I’m told that there could be members of the Giant Pacific Octopus species living in the Bay, but more likely they are found in deeper water outside the Golden Gate. I still scan the water every morning when having my coffee on the upper deck. Someday I might get lucky and see a real Monsieur Pierre near my dock,” she says.

Anne also enjoys travel, especially inn-to-inn walking trips in Europe. “These trips offer wonderful opportunities to sketch new scenery on-the-go with a built-in excuse to order extra dessert at dinner. After all, I tell myself, I’m walking all day!” It was while on vacation that the inspiration for “Monsieur Pierre” appeared. Anne recalls, “I was looking through a selection of children’s toys for my granddaughter in a lovely little store in the Marais, in Paris. I came across an unusual stuffed animal: a hand-knitted octopus. That little toy came home to my granddaughter in California and the idea of Monsieur Pierre’s journey was launched.”

In addition to sketching with ink and watercolor, Anne enjoys creating paper cuts. A selection of her travel sketchbooks and paper cuts can be found at www.ByHandByAnne.com. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. “Monsieur Pierre” is her first picture book is available from local bookstores and Amazon online. Contact Anne through her publisher, L O Annie Press info@LOAnniePress.com

Sample Q & A

with author/illustrator Anne Dana

Q: Anne, “Monsieur Pierre” is a picture book starring an octopus. Why an octopus?

A: Well, I definitely have days when I think it would be useful to have 8 arms…actually, the story was inspired by a cute, little hand-knitted octopus I found in a bin of children’s toys. All the other stuffed animals in the bin were more typical kid’s toys: bear, dog, cat. The surprise of finding an octopus launched Pierre into my imagination.

Q: In the book, Pierre starts out living in the center of Paris. That seems like an odd location for an octopus. Why Paris?

A: So I’d have an excuse to go do “research” in one of my favorite cities. Also, that’s where I found the little hand-knitted octopus that became the inspiration for Pierre. I was vacationing in Paris, exploring the city’s lovely, distinct neighborhoods. The original octopus was in a toy bin in a children’s store in the Marais district.

Q: We’ve been wondering, what’s the proper plural form of “octopus?”

A: It turns out there is some controversy about whether the “correct” plural is octopuses, octopodes or octopi. The true “correct” form is probably octopodes (since the root word is ancient Greek) but octopuses and octopi are also so widely used, I think they are also acceptable. The only incorrect form is on a menu!

Q: A lot of children’s picture books have a “message.” Does Monsieur Pierre have something you want children to learn or take away from the story?

A: Monsieur Pierre is designed to take young children on a satisfying adventure illustrated with humor. There’s not a “message” that hits you over the head but I hope Pierre’s fans enjoy his discovery that there’s a place with friends for everyone and sometimes you just need to be a little bit adventurous to find yours. Sure, picture books can be a way of delivering a message or lulling our children to sleep. But beyond this, reading picture books aloud to children is such a wonderful activity and so important to children’s development that my publisher has dedicated part of their website to providing tips and resources to make it easy and more fun for both children and readers. Whether it’s bedtime reading, long-distance reading, finding the right picture book, all kinds of ideas are at www.LOAnniePress.com/resource link here

Q: What was your best moment creating this book?

A: There were so many great moments bringing Pierre to life. The illustration of him interacting with the Mona Lisa was one of the first ones I conceived of for the book and one of the first ones I drew. I really fell in love with the character at that point and enjoyed playing with the theme of being a tourist in Paris.

Q: Do you have a special place to write and draw?

A: I’m lucky enough to live on a motor yacht in the small town of Sausalito, California. We are docked in a harbor on the San Francisco Bay. I love sitting in the yacht’s salon watching the sea life and birds while working on my picture books. Our town is very popular with the tourists that come to San Francisco. A lot of them cross the Golden Gate Bridge to visit little Sausalito. Our yacht is located right downtown so I get to have a little bit of Pierre’s experience with lots of tourists from all over the world.

Q: What writing or creativity tool do you find necessary?

A: Meditation and walking! I’m pretty good at keeping a daily routine to work on my current picture book project. I find the writing and drawing flows much smoother when I also have a regular meditation practice and when I make time to get into the great outdoors. Both help open my imagination and I can take that back into the studio to work.

Q: What’s your top tip for an aspiring picture book author?

A: There are lots of great classes to help you learn to write and/or illustrate picture books and to learn about the industry you’re getting into. I took two classes I highlyrecommend from Mira Reisburg at the Children’s Book Academy, http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/ Also, I encourage aspiring picture book authors and/or illustrators to join and use the extensive resources available at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, www.scbwi.org

Q: What’s your favorite bookstore?

A: I have to vote for two favorites (1) Book Passage in Marin County and San Francisco is an amazing independent bookstore that goes far beyond being a source for great reads. It’s also a wonderful place to take classes related to books, writing, reading and publishing and to meet authors from all over the world www.bookpassage.com and (2) It may sound like heresy, but I’m also a huge fan of Amazon. I like my books both in print and eBook format and I greatly appreciate the ways in which Amazon is helping open up the world to independent publishers and authors.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite children’s picture book written by someone else?

A: Robert McCloskey is one of my favorite author/illustrators. It’s no accident that several of his books consistently appear on the lists of all-time best picture books. If I have to pick just one of his books, it’s One Morning in Maine. Published in 1952, this slice-of-life-story still captures today’s reader. The wonderful pictures of Maine are an integral part of the story’s emotional arc and make for a book that I still find heartwarming.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not reading, writing or drawing?

A: I love traveling! I especially enjoy inn-to-inn walking vacations with a small group. Walking gives me time to take in the new sights, sounds, geography and culture of a “foreign” place and an excuse to do all that “vacation eating.” And who knows, my next picture book character may be waiting right around the corner.

Q: What’s next?

A: My current project is a picture book about a would-be magician and her efforts to amaze her audience. I’m enjoying getting to know her as the book takes life.

Q: Sounds fun! How do we connect with you?

A: I love to hear from fans of Mr. Pierre! Please email me through my publisher at info@LOAnniePress.com

Q: One last question: Can we keep an octopus as a pet if we let him live in the bathtub?

A: Sorry, but no. Unlike Monsieur Pierre, real octopodes (octopuses, octopi) prefer salt water and a hiding place. However, you can go visit an octopus at an aquarium near you https://www.aza.org/ Meanwhile, here’s a short video about a new, cute octopus discovered in 2015 in Monterey Bay, off California https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl-WJlmL5n0

Details & Promotional Information

Author /llustrator: Anne Dana
Publisher: L. O. Annie Press
Type: Picture Book
Age range: 3 yrs – 5 yrs
Subjects: picture books, juvenile, marine animals, octopuses, travel, Paris, California, friendship
Size: 8-1/2” x 8-1/2”; 34 pages; 550 words
ISBNs and Suggested Retail Prices (U.S.):
hardbound ISBN 978-0-9981381-1-4$19.95
paperback ISBN 978-0-9981381-0-7$11.95
eBook ISBN 978-0-9981381-2-1

Synopsis: Monsieur Pierre tells the tale of Monsieur Pierre, a lonely octopus, surrounded by international tourists at his Parisian fountain home, who embarks on a search for a friend. His adventure begins among the landmarks of Paris and ends with California’s scenic wonders. Lively, humorous illustrations chronicle his surprising encounters with some of the most famous inhabitants of the City of Light and the beauties of the Golden State.

Book launch: April 2017
Promotional Campaign
National independent publisher reviews
Online promotion at Amazon.com and GoodReads
Facebook and Instagram campaign
Special outreach to zoo and aquarium gift shop buyers group
Live book launch party at Book Passage, Sausalito, California

How to Buy for Individual Customers: Monsieur Pierre is available from Amazon.com or by special order at your local bookstore. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Monsieur Pierre is stocked at Book Passage.

For Retail and Wholesale Accounts: Monsieur Pierre is distributed on a returnable basis at a wholesale discount in the U.S. by Ingram. Additional, special wholesale terms are available directly from L O Annie Press for institutions supporting marine education, marine research, and children’s museums. Contact info@LOAnniePress.com for details.

Anne Dana’s bio: Anne Dana lives and draws on a motor yacht on the San Francisco Bay in the picturesque town of Sausalito, California. She has always been fascinated with octopuses; those masters of escape and camouflage, quick learners and problem solvers. While on vacation in Paris, she came across a little hand knitted octopus in a children’s store. That little octopus came home to California and the idea for Monsieur Pierre was born. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Publisher Website: www.LOAnniePress.com

Media contact: info@LOAnniePress.com(510) 305-8400

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