Caring Causes: An Octopus Named Mom

 A Octopus Named Mom is about a little boy who finds himself waiting for his mom, who is busy with his younger sibling and her chores-again. "I'm sick of being patient," he pouts, and he begins to imagine what life would be like if Mom could ignore her other responsibilities and give him her undivided attention. What if his mom had, say, eight hands rather than two? (Quite honestly, I've wished this for myself before!) He makes his wish, and suddenly a magical, mysterious transformation takes place and "An Octopus Named Mom" makes her debut.

The book, published by Three Bean Press, celebrates the importance of patience through enchanting verse and breezy and expressive watercolors. This is a book that children ages 3 to 8 and their parents and caregivers can all relate to. In addition, partial proceeds from sales of An Octopus Named Mom benefit Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer.

Author Kathleen Marion Flaherty and illustrator Jennifer Caulfield Donehey are multitasking moms themselves and both live in Millis, Massachusetts. This is their first children's book. Flaherty is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University and has worked with kids for over 17 years. She has been writing children's stories for over a decade and enjoys summers at Hog Island, Rhode Island, where she teaches her four children to be one with nature. Donehey studied art at Westfield State College and Massachusetts College of Art, with a concentration in illustration and drawing. Working primarily in watercolor and acrylics, she can capture most anything, from food illustrations to characters and settings in children's books.

Three Bean Press is a custom-publishing company. Its titles include: Boston, Inspirational Women by Bill Brett and Kerry Brett; The Too Much Love Story by Priscilla Hayes; and Fresh & Honest: Food from the Farms of New England and the Kitchen of Henrietta's Table (Best Cookbook, The New England Book Festival 2009) by Peter Davis. Partners Seneca Francione, Sandy Giardi and Julie Kelly have written, illustrated, and published their own children's titles (Lily + the Imaginary Zoo; The Yellowest Yellow Lab; Frankie Goes to Fenway).

Ovations for the Cure, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the relentless pursuit of a cure for ovarian cancer in three critical ways: providing funding for new and ongoing ovarian cancer research and treatment initiatives; actively increasing awareness about the disease; and giving hope, education, and comfort to those battling ovarian cancer. The organization was founded in 2006 by nine-year ovarian cancer survivor Patricia Franchi.