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    Pup the Sea Otter, by Jonathan London | Book Review

    Dr. Jen HarrisonBy Dr. Jen Harrison3 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Animal Books Best Kids Stories Environment & Ecology Picture Books Science
    Pup the Sea Otter by Jonathan London
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    The Children’s Book Review | May 19, 2017

    Pup the Sea OtterPup the Sea Otter

    Written by Jonathan London

    Illustrated by Sean London

    Paperback: 32 pages

    Age Range: 4-6

    Publisher: WestWinds Press (2017)

    ISBN: 978-1943328871

    What to Expect: Nature, Baby Animals, Growing-Up

    From the instant of his birth until the moment he is grown enough to leave his mother, Pup the Sea Otter’s life is filled with love, excitement, and new experiences. Although at first he is dependent on his mother’s protection and her milk for survival, Pup soon learns more: what to eat and how to dive for food, when to watch out for predators, and how to play with the other Pups. Following Pup’s life story, young readers learn that it is ok to look for help from time to time, and that however frightening growing-up may be, life is one big, exciting adventure.

    Pup the Sea Otter is a non-fiction book told in a narrative style that is engaging and captivating. Sensory language invites the reader to empathize with Pup’s experiences, while Sean London’s colorful and life-like illustrations draw the reader in to Pup’s watery world. Particularly intriguing about this narrative is the dual perspective from which it is told: rather than focusing exclusively on the perspective of the Pup, the story begins with a perspective split between Pup and his mother, and only gradually shifts to being exclusively from Pup’s perspective. Mimicking the increasing awareness and independence of a child as he or she grows up, this subtle approach not only teaches the child about this fascinating animals, but also invites him or her to consider the relationship between animals and humans, and how similar we really are.

    Overall, this is a beautiful book, combining natural history education with literacy support and empathy development. Fun as well as educational, it is a good choice for home or school.

    Available Here: 

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    Fun Stuff

    Download this free study guide: Pup the Sea Otter Activity Guide

    About the Author

    Jonathan London has written more than one hundred picture books for children, many of them about wildlife. He is also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives with his wife in northern California. www.jonathan-london.net.

    About the Illustrator

    Sean London received a BFA from CalArts in Character Animation and has done animation for Disney. He has also collaborated with his father on the Aaron’s Wilderness series: Desolation Canyon, Bella Bella, and Grizzly Peak.

    Pup the Sea Otter, by Jonathan London, was reviewed by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books like Pup the Sea Otter by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Baby Animal Books, Growing Up, Jonathan London, Natural History Books, and Otters.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Over and Under the Pond, by Kate Messner | Book Review
    2. Otis the Owl, by Mary Holland | Book Review
    3. Illustration Inspiration: Jim Arnosky, Creator of Frozen Wild
    4. Pipsie, Nature Detective: The Lunchnapper, by Rick DeDonato | Book Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Baby Animal Books Growing Up Jonathan London Natural History Books Nature Otters Sean London WestWinds Press
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    Dr. Jen Harrison
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    Dr. Jen Harrison provides writing and research services as the CEO of Read.Write.Perfect. She completed her Ph.D. in Children’s and Victorian Literature at Aberystwyth University in Wales, in the UK. After a brief spell in administration, Jen then trained as a secondary school English teacher and worked for several years teaching Secondary School English, working independently as a private tutor of English, and working in nursery and primary schools. She has been an editor for the peer-reviewed journal of children’s literature, Jeunesse, and has published academic work on children’s non-fiction, YA speculative fiction, and the posthuman.

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