Longport resident Doug Farrell has published his second children's book.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT Taking inspiration from under the sea, 40-year Longport resident Doug Farrell, a retired podiatrist, recently published his second children's book. As a follow-up to his first publication, Humpy Saves the Day, about the adventures of a sea turtle, Farrell's new book is titled, Octo the Clever Sea Monster.
Inspired by his many octopus sightings while snorkeling in St. John, British Virgin Islands, where he vacations with his wife Kate, Farrell wanted to share their phenomenal beauty and intelligence and dispel any misconceptions that they are monsters to be feared.
I wanted to write a story to encourage our respect for this amazing animal with which we share our planet Earth, he wrote in the epilogue of the book, which is self-published through Lulu.com.
The Farrells have vacationed in St. John for many years, spending lazy days on the beach and taking long swims. Doug Farrell also swims daily in the Atlantic Ocean, which is two blocks from his Longport summer home. Farrell, who is living with multiple myeloma, sings at church and community events and raises funds in partnership with the Beach Patrol's Capt. Turner Swim to support families dealing with blood cancers.
The book, geared toward older elementary school children, ages 4-7, replicates a theme in his first book, diversity and acceptance.
Just like all creatures, Octo wants to be loved and accepted for who he is, Farrell said.
Longport resident Doug Farrell has published his second children's book.
The octopus, which can change its size and appearance, is the hero of the book, which includes a submarine crew on a dangerous mission to diffuse a bomb aboard a partially sunken German U-boat. After befriending what they initially thought was a sea monster, they invite Octo onboard and learn about his unique abilities.
Octo can do almost anything, and before the end of the book, he saves the day, Farrell said.
Farrell said endured a few years of writer's block, but on one of his dives, he came across an octopus garden and decided he would write a story about Octo.
I wrote the book in two hours, two years ago, he said. I knew it had to be set deep in the ocean and needed human interaction. It dwells on the theme that people look at octopodes as monsters, but they are very smart animals and very friendly. I wanted to reverse people's opinions about them.
Farrell spent the next two years, researching, editing and working with illustrator Carina Reytblat, who provided rich coloring and a realistic interpretation of sailors aboard the submarine.
We sent at least 300 emails back and forth to get it right, Farrell said.
Reytblat is an artist working in Israel, he said.
Farrell recently held a book signing at the Longport Public Library and plans to do other events in the near future.
He has dedicated the book to supporters, including a second grade teacher, editor Kara J. Durant, an art teacher who had written and illustrated several of her own children's books, and his grandchildren, Jack, Maggie, Dougie and Bridgie.
The soft cover book, perfect for any child's library, can be purchased at Lulu.com/shop for $14.99.
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