The Escape Artist: A True Story of Octopus Adventure

When Inky the octopus slipped out of his tank at the National Aquarium in New Zealand, his audacious escape made headlines around the world. Biologist Thor Hanson’s funny, informational text and Galia Bernstein’s illuminating, humorous pictures showcase the intelligence and curiosity of the octopus. For fans of Yoshi and the Ocean and Star and the Maestro. Features back matter.



A rock. A pot. Some sand. A light. And those same four walls, day in and day out. Inky the octopus has only ever known his tank at the aquarium in New Zealand. Understimulated and craving answers, he watches the people walk by and wonders where they go—until one fateful day when the lock on his tank is left unlatched. Inky escapes, and miraculously makes his way into a drainpipe and out to the ocean.



Inky’s story is all true—there really was an octopus who escaped the National Aquarium in New Zealand and returned to the sea, becoming a viral sensation in 2016. Award-winning author and biologist Thor Hanson’s rhyming text is funny, engaging, and informative and highlights the innate intelligence of octopuses. Galia Bernstein’s vibrant, tentacle-filled artwork is the perfect complement, capturing Inky’s curiosity, intelligence, and resourcefulness. Extensive back matter includes information about octopuses, aquariums, and the real Inky’s escape.