The Children’s Book Review | May 9, 2019
Little Otter Learns to Swim
Written by Artie Knapp
Illustrated by Guy Hobbs
Age Range: 4 +
Hardcover Book: 32 pages
Publisher: Ohio University Press
ISBN: 978-0-8214-2340-0
What to Expect: Otter, Swimming, Values, and Love
Children’s book author, Artie Knapp, takes readers on a whimsical journey of Little Otter’s first experience swimming amongst the wildlife that surrounds him. The ever-patient Mother Otter teaches her pup all about swimming—diving, floating, and underwater play. She was there to protect her Little Otter, but also encouraged her to learn to play alone and protect herself when danger arose from nearby predators. Although the pup was frightened, she did just that and knew her mother would be proud. Upon her return, Mother Otter reassured her pup that she would always remain safe near the river, for that was her home.
The sweet, rhyming text flows well with the stunning full page, watercolor illustrations by wildlife artist, Guy Hobbs. The soft detail of the otters and other animals magically make the scenes come alive as the readers root for the Little Otter as she perseveres and makes her way back home away from danger.
To add to the reader’s experience, two additional pages can be found in the back of the book providing extra reading on North American river otters and how individuals and/or classrooms can help with The River Otter Ecology Project.
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About the Author
Artie Knapp is the author of 40 published Children’s Literature works that includes books, videos, stories and poems. His children’s stories have been published in numerous course books by Orient BlackSwan, Oxford University Press, Pearson Education, and The Chart Institute in Japan, among others. Additionally, Artie’s work has been published in various magazines and newspapers, as well as online publications. Among his writing credits are the children’s books, Stuttering Stan Takes a Stand, and Living Green: A Turtle’s Quest for a Cleaner Planet, a shortlist finalist forthe Green Earth Book Award. He is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and graduated from Ohio University. Artie lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and daughter.
Little Otter Learns to Swim, written by Artie Knapp and illustrated by Guy Hobbs, was reviewed by Anna C. Iacovetta, Ph.D.. Discover more books like Little Otter Learns to Swim by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Otters, Picture Book, Swimming, and Values.
