Sea otter

Experienced wildlife photographer Eszterhas' giant full-page photos of an adorable otter pup and her mother will elicit that treasured awww response from charmed readers. Bringing clarity as well as plenty of fascinating details, the author uses metaphoric language to help readers imagine the newborn pup, whose fluffy, thick fur keeps her from drowning: she floats like a cork until learning to swim at three months. With clear narrative organization, Eszterhas captures significant aspects of a baby otter's first year, including learning to dive and find food, joining with other otters, staying out of danger, and using tools. An appendix with more facts about otters in a bulleted list rounds out this highly readable text. The lack of an index and bibliography limits the book's use beyond a pleasure read, but it truly is that: a pleasure to read and to see.--Austin, Patricia Copyright 2010 Booklist

K-Gr 3-Each book follows an animal from just after birth through to adulthood-for the sea otter, this is one year, and for the orangutan, five years. In color photos, readers see each baby growing, sleeping, eating, and interacting with its mother, though at times, it's difficult to identify specific body parts, and many of the photographs are very similar. The conversational texts include facts, an overview of the maturation process, and some slight fictionalization ("Being with Mom is great.."). While geographic areas in which each animal lives are mentioned, no maps are included. A bulleted list on each back page gives quick facts and a web address for further information. Though not standouts, these titles will likely be popular, thanks to the adorable photos that appear throughout.-Amanda Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, Madison, WI (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.