  | Odder : an otter's story Author: Applegate, Katherine | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Adapted from Katherine Applegate's bestselling novel of the same name, this picture book follows Odder's rescue and subsequent new role as a mentor to other rescued otter pups.
| Illustrator: | Santoso, Charles |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/15/25)
School Library Journal (03/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 03/01/2025 PreS-Gr 1—This picture book hybrid is based on a true story and on the successful middle grade novel of the same name. Odder, an adventurous baby sea otter, loves to play and take risks. When she is separated from her mother, she is rescued and rehabilitated by humans. Unwilling to curb her sense of curiosity and adventure, Odder is injured by a shark and returned to the rehabilitation center, where she slowly discovers a new talent: teaching other orphans the skills they need in to survive in the wild. Odder's story is lengthy, and better told in the middle grade version of these events. For younger children, movement between the otter world and that of humans is confusing. A key scene in which Odder is attacked by a shark is described so passively that readers may not grasp the degree of Odder's injuries. Another scene, in which Odder first learns to help new pups, is drawn out and seems very intellectualized. However, the art is superb and the book's water scenes convey a sense of swirling movement that mirror Odder's playfulness. VERDICT A picture book with too much plot combined with complex character development; the result is a tale that may be too heavy for picture book readers.—Benjamin Ludwig - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
