I read this beautiful little book all in one sitting last night. It was delightful! The story is primarily told from “Odder’s” perspective, so, of course, it is fictional, but it is based on real sea otters who have been rescued and rehabilitated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.
Sea otters are an endangered species, and they are also a keystone species, which means they are vitally important to the balance of their ecosystem. I learned so much about sea otters from this book, and now my kids are eager to get their hands on it!
The illustrations of Charles Santoso make you want to reach out and cuddle the little cuties–baby sea otters, what could be better?
This book is ideal for a first experience in verse novels, as well. The prose is clear and straightforward, there is a short glossary in the back, and most of all, the free verse format can inspire kids to play with words on the page in their own writing.
Now that I’ve read it, I really want to take a trip out to Monterey Bay and see this remarkable program in action!
I hope you pick this up and give it a try.
Happy reading!
Books for Curious Kids 