It is hard not to be won over by an otter; those irresistible big eyes, that cute face, the way they lazily float on their backs rubbing their paws. And all of their wonderful charisma and charm comes across swimmingly in award-winning author Katherine Applegate’s story of Odder, an orphaned sea pup.
Care-free Odder loves her life in the water. She is the ‘Queen of play’. More adventurous, more curious, braver, bolder and willing to take more risks than the other otters. She is fearless. But one day, after swimming from the kelp cover of the coastline and out into the bay, she comes face to face with nature’s most fearsome predator…a great white shark. The encounter will change Odder’s life forever and lead her to question everything she knows about herself and the humans who her life depends on…
Inspired by the some of the true stories at the Monterey Bay Aquarium - a facility that provides care for otters and runs a successful program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers - this touching, heartwarming and ‘otterly’ beautiful tale will steal your heart.
Told in lyrical free-verse that flows as smoothly as a sea otter glides through the water, it is a fascinating insight into otter life, some of the challenges they face and the rehabilitation and rehoming that is sometimes required to protect this keystone species.
A must read for animal-lovers. Adorable! With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin and Welbeck for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review. Recommended for 8+.
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