The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) today announced its selection of Arlo Draws an Octopus for the 2025 Pennsylvania One Book Early Literacy Project. Written by Lori Mortensen and illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr., Arlo Draws an Octopus encourages children to embrace their creativity and to see the beauty in their efforts -- no matter the outcome.
The Pennsylvania One Book project champions early childhood literacy and aims to foster a lifelong love of reading among Pennsylvania’s youngest learners.
“Early learning is the cornerstone of a bright future, and the Shapiro Administration is committed to ensuring that every child in Pennsylvania has the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of reading. With the selection of Arlo Draws an Octopus as the 2025 PA One Book, we are encouraging educators and families to introduce their young learners to a story that celebrates creativity and perseverance,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Through initiatives like the PA One Book project, we continue to make early literacy a priority for Pennsylvania’s future.”
Chosen for its vibrant illustrations and engaging narrative, Arlo Draws an Octopus explores the frustrations and triumphs of artistic expression through the eyes of a young boy named Arlo. This selection underscores the program’s commitment to providing children and their caregivers with access to high-quality literary experiences that encourage learning and imagination.
“Arlo’s experience with drawing is so familiar – and holds an important lesson for anyone who doesn’t trust their own talents (which is most of us),” said Susan Banks, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and State Librarian. “For almost 20 years, our PA One Book program has invited young readers and their families to take a guided journey into literature to serve as a foundation for a lifelong love of stories and reading. We are so proud to offer this program to libraries and early learning programs across the Commonwealth.”
All public libraries and certified early learning programs in Pennsylvania will receive a copy of Arlo Draws an Octopus. PDE encourages Pennsylvanians to visit their local public library to check out previous PA One Book titles and watch for special story time events and other opportunities for preschoolers to engage in activities themed around this year’s title selection.
The author and illustrator will host an online kickoff event on April 10. Further details will be available on the PA One Book website. The program also provides educators and families with extensive support materials, including printable activity guides and interactive projects that complement the book’s themes.
The PA One Book Early Literacy project is made possible through a collaboration between PDE, OCL, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Pennsylvania Center for the Book, The Pennsylvania State University, Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11, Center for Schools & Communities, Early Intervention Technical Assistance, James V. Brown Library, Free Library of Philadelphia, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Funding for this project is provided in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by OCL, and additional funding is provided by OCDEL.