Wendy Lee Releases Mertini’s Ocean Olympics, a Picture Book About an Underdog Octopus Facing a Bully Rival
United States, 31st Jul 2026 — About the Book: Mertini’s Ocean Olympics, written by Wendy L. Waltermyer under the name Wendy Lee, follows a young octopus named Mertini who attends school in the North Atlantic Ocean. Every year the students compete in school Olympics featuring events such as speed racing, obstacle courses, target throwing, jumping and flipping, lassoing, and figure swimming. Only the top three finishers in each event receive gold, silver, or bronze medals.
Mertini hopes to win a gold medal, an achievement her parents never reached when they competed as students. Her main rival is Jax, a more athletic and competitive octopus who has won gold two years in a row and teases Mertini for being small and weak. This year Mertini trains with Kali, an orca who migrated from the Arctic with her pod and offers coaching after observing Jax’s behavior the previous year.
Training includes a nutritious breakfast of fish eggs and seaweed, strength exercises with heavy rocks, target practice using snail shells and organ pipe coral, and lassoing practice with sea grass around staghorn coral. The story also shows daily routines of healthy dinners, play with friends Tread the sea turtle, Shale the dolphin, and Dozer the smooth hammerhead shark, and early bedtime for rest. On the day of the Olympics, the arena is decorated with jellyfish lighting and starfish, with judges from the North Atlantic Crab Association and an officiating walrus.
The book presents themes of consistent practice, nutrition, rest, friendship, standing up to teasing, and the difference between winning and true sportsmanship. It is written for early readers and middle-grade audiences who enjoy marine life and underdog stories.
Key Highlights:
- Centers on a fifth-grade octopus competing in school Olympics against a two-time gold medalist rival
- Features a training partnership between the young octopus and an older orca coach who migrated from the Arctic
- Incorporates practical habits such as balanced meals, strength training, aim practice, and sufficient sleep
- Includes a diverse cast of marine friends—a sea turtle, dolphin, and smooth hammerhead shark—who support the main character
- Depicts Olympic-style events open to all species, with medals awarded only to the top three finishers
- Addresses bullying through the actions of a boastful competitor and the response of training and determination
- Written and illustrated in a colorful, accessible style suitable for shared reading with children
About the Author:
Wendy L. Waltermyer, who writes as Wendy Lee, is a grandmother from Hanover, Pennsylvania. She has lived in the state her entire life and is dedicating the Mertini series to her grandchildren. Mertini’s Ocean Olympics is her children’s book set in an underwater school environment and focused on themes of effort and fairness.
Availability eBook and print editions are available exclusively on Amazon at https://a.co/d/03dy4OwS. Additional distribution details may be obtained through the author.
Media Contact
Organization: Bookmarketeers
Contact Person: Wendy Lee
Website: https://bookmarketeers.com/
Email: Send Email
Country:United States
Release id:47781
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