Utterly Otterly Day

by Mary Casanova, Ard Hoyt (Illustrator)

Overview

Little Otter likes to play in a carefree, unabashed, utterly otterly way.

Mom warns Little Otter, "Be careful!"

Dad says, "Stay close!"

But does Little Otter listen? Oh, no! No. No. No. Little Otter thinks he's a big otter now, big enough to take care of himself. But watch out, Little Otter, because no matter how big you get, it's good to have loved ones looking out for you.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416908685
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	06/17/2008
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Mary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research.

Ard Hoyt has illustrated a number of books, including the New York Times bestsellers I’m a Manatee by John Lithgow and The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School by Laurie Halse Anderson. Ard lives with his wife and five daughters in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Editorial Reviews

PreS- Little Otter speeds through his day at breakneck pace, from the moment he wakes up and rouses his sleepy family to his spine-tingling sunset escape from a hungry cougar. In between, he eludes a falling tree, an eagle, a snapping turtle, and an angry fisherman. After each escape, he tells himself that "he's a big otter now," and swims away with typical preschooler bravado. His close call with the cougar leaves him shaken, however, and he retreats to the safety and comfort of the den. As he accepts some parental snuggles, he admits that "He needs his family-/no matter how big he grows." Alliteration and onomatopoeic phrases ("whippidy, slippiddy," "swishily swashily") combine to give a sense of the hustle and bustle of Little Otter's day. Sketchy watercolor drawings with multiple perspectives lend a feeling of constant movement, while the recurring image of a yellow butterfly ties the story together. As Little Otter falls asleep, he dreams of being carried away by a swarm of them, demonstrating that he is bold even in his sleep. Though a few of the illustrations are unclear, and the book is a bit too long to maintain its breathless pace, Little Otter is a likable hero with familiar childlike traits. Additionally, there is just enough information about otters to whet readers' appetite for further research.-Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD

School Library Journal

Otter play gets its visual due in this adorable tale of one little otter's determination to prove "he's a big otter now." At the beginning of a bright new day Little Otter is intent on having as much fun as possible. He cracks clams-"Clickety, clunkety, crunch!"-floats with fish and avoids a panoply of dangers. A run-in with a voracious cougar ends happily but reminds Little Otter that no matter how big he grows, he still needs his family from time to time. Hoyt has a good feel for what makes these freshwater scamps so endearing; his Little Otter is a joyful, gleeful, mischievous critter full of pep and vinegar. And the image of the nasty cougar filling Little Otter's eyes as she pounces makes for a mighty impressive two-page spread. Casanova's onomatopoeic rhymes may take some practice before they fall trippingly from the tongue, but once mastered they complement the art to a tee. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews