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Klyde the Kraken Wants a Friend

$17.95

★ 2024 Nautilus Book Award Winner
★ 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Winner
★ 2023 Moonbeam Award Winner (Picture Book)


Dive into the hilarious story of a hug-loving kraken who learns that sometimes it's better to keep your tentacles to yourself.

“A delightful readaloud book with adorable pictures that teaches readers that some people don't like hugs, so it's nice to ask first!”
— Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks

Klyde the kraken loves nothing more than a good hug, but whenever he tries to hug the animals in the ocean, they all swim away. Then one day, the colossal creature's monstrous embrace takes down a pirate ship and the shipwrecked buccaneers surprise Klyde with a valuable lesson of emotional literacy: While many friends love to hug, others prefer different ways to greet their mateys.

Alaskan author Brooke Hartman’s buoyant, cheerful, and sidesplitting verses combine with Italian illustrator Laura Borio’s beautifully quirky and charming illustrations to deliver a heart-warming story of social-emotional learning on the high seas.

Artist Bios

Brooke Hartman is an Alaskan mom and author of silly, serious, and sometimes strange stories for children and young adults. Her writing has garnered national awards, including honors from Writer’s Digest, Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. 

Laura Borio was born in Turin, Italy in 1986. In 2008, she attended a comic book course that changed her life. Since then, she has never stopped experimenting and creating. While most of her time is consumed by drawing, Laura also enjoys watching fantasy movies, reading children's books, practicing Tai Chi, eating pancakes with friends, and annoying her cat. 

Reading Level

Reading level/interest: 5 to 9

Lexile measure: 720L

F&P level: O

This book is aligned with Common
Core Standards.

Specs and Details

At 11x9.5” and 38 pages, Klyde the Kraken Wants a Friend is the perfect size to make a splash at story time.

ISBN: 9781948931427

Free Education Guides / Activities

Coming soon: Download free education guides and activities including a learning guides for educators and parents to help students meet several of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts.