Title: Song of a Thousand Seas
Author: Zana Fraillon
Publisher: UQP
Publication date: September 2, 2025
Themes: Friendship, empathy, curiosity, creative thinking, connection, hope, home, octopuses
Comprehensive teachers’ notes are available on the UQP website here.
Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon and published by UQP gifts the reader the unique and memorable experience of being immersed in the world of Houdini, a highly curious, fiercely intelligent and perceptive octopus confined to a tank in an aquarium while aching to return to the sea. Houdini craves to return to the familiar rhythms of the ocean, reacquaint herself with the cherished memories of the wind, salt and textures in the vast open sea. This powerful and thought-provoking verse novel story told from the first-person perspective of Houdini invites readers to slip into the skin of the octopus and feel, hear, sense and see her world as she does through her nine brains, three hearts and thousands of suckers. This story challenges human-centric thinking and evokes empathy as readers feel Houdini’s pain of being trapped in a tank of motionless water, peering eyes, artificial light and impatient fingertips tapping on the glass. This is a compelling story that will stretch readers imaginations, challenge their thinking, assumptions and provide them with a host of fascinating facts about the octopus in a rich and engaging way.
In the aquarium Houdini’s life is monotonous, it is one of isolation, observation (visitors observing her and she them) and mostly devoid of connection. For an animal that can recognise people, is highly intelligent, agile and capable of mischievous acts she has plenty of time to think outside the box, consider options and plan a way to be free. As a captive animal, she spends her days soaking in details, information about the routines in the aquarium and the people who work there. This allows her to anticipate human actions and empowers her to strategise, plan and create some agency over her life, all while clinging to hope that freedom is possible.
Houdini’s keeper, Paul, is aware of her past escapades and ensures her tank is always tightly sealed so she cannot escape again. However, he underestimates her agility and intelligence, showing a lack of understanding about this fascinating creature who gets up to all sorts of cheeky tricks and antics, often at Paul’s expense. When Paul leaves for the day, Houdini seizes the opportunity to explore the aquarium to discover her route to freedom. Night after night she fails as there is only a limited amount of time she can be out of water. Thankfully Joe, the cleaner, is also aware of Houdini’s daring adventures and keeps his eye out for her, always returning her to the tank.
A flicker of hope is ignited when Houdini meets Juno, Paul’s daughter. Houdini quickly recognises that Juno is different. Juno, driven by her curiosity connects with Houdini, appreciates her intelligence, antics and longing for freedom. The impossible for Houdini now feels attainable. Juno can speak to her Dad on Houdini’s behalf expressing the animals desires and needs. Paul struggles with Houdini’s need for freedom as he considers the loss of income without their star attraction.
Ultimately, Juno must choose where her loyalties lie and who she will help. Will she help her Dad to keep generating an income or will she assist Houdini’s escape.
This unforgettable story is a masterclass in ensuring every word counts as the verses are short, yet so much is gently and powerfully expressed. The figurative language adds such a richness to the narrative.
This story serves as a gateway to varied and rich conversations about the meaning of home, animals in captivity, wildlife conservation centres, bonds between animals and humans and octopuses.
Fraillon has included 14 wonderful octopus facts at the end of the story as well as the inspiration for her story in the Author’s Note.
This is a transformative story as it would be impossible to read this story without being in awe of octopuses and seeing these incredible creatures in a whole new light.