Octopus, Octopus, Wherefore Art Thou, Octopus? by Barbara Hart

Octopus, Octopus, Wherefore Art Thou, Octopus?

by Barbara Hart

Octopuses are mysterious. Octopuses are fascinating. Octopuses are fun, especially if they are named Rex and can sing! Yes, Rex is a musical cephalopod created by Barbara Hart of Rancho Palos Verdes.

Hart’s inspiration to feature an octopus in her children’s stories happened serendipitously when she had just moved back to LA from Nashville. Driving along Sunset Blvd., she looked up and saw an advertisement for the Aquarium of the Pacific, with an octopus looming large on the billboard. Coincidentally, on the radio, a talk-show psychiatrist was discussing the Oedipus Rex complex. Hart’s brain immediately superimposed Octopus for Oedipus and, voila’, Octopus Rex was born. (That is the only nod to the historic play, however!) Researching facts for her books, Hart became a fan of this smart and most intriguing creature.

 Her series of four children’s books features the lovable eight-armed creature and his friend Timmy as they share adventures and misadventures to musical tracks of Hart’s original songs. The fourth in the series, Octopus Rex Saves Christmas, will capture your child’s imagination of Christmas as Rex and Timmy learn the joy of giving from Santa himself! Perfect for kids 4 and up. Author will sign! Learn more at www.octopusrex.com.

Barbara Hart is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and twice Emmy-nominated writer penning questions, or answers, for the TV show Jeopardy!. Her credits also include a country musical, The Rose Bowl Queens, and songs recorded by Nashville legends Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. Her latest is a fresh off-the-press humorous book for women titled “I Am My Hair: Confessions of a Salon Whore,” Hart’s personal, decades-long journey to find the perfect hairdresser.  High-brow literature at its finest!

Barbara can be contacted here