Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
What happens when the frightener becomes the frightened? That's the problem confronting the star of I Am Otter and Otter in Space when the trick-or-treaters who show up prove to be "very scary-almost too scary!" (And this, even when Otter is herself dressed up as a "superscary witch!") Otter remains a master of deflection: racing under the bed to hide, "I took Pig with me too. He was really scared." Luckily, her human Otter Keeper is there to offer both comfort and a costume tweak: a cardboard box mask with a monster's face drawn on it. "Things are much less scary when you can't really see them," notes a much-happier Otter. The joyful chaos of everyday life with a child (or otter) permeates Garton's cartoons and should keep kids laughing from start to finish. Ages 4-8. Agent: Brooks Sherman, Bent Agency. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Otter throws herself into preparing for Halloween with the same zest with which she approached starting her own restaurant and blasting off into space. Stuffed toys in tow, she helps Otter Keeper pick out a pumpkin, decorates the house, and designs costumes for herself and her plush pals. Everyone's all set to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters, but the visitors' costumes prove a little overwhelming for Otter, who takes shelter under the bed. Otter Keeper soothes the intrepid heroine, and all is well in the end. The first-person narration of the endearingly self-assured Otter, as she delegates responsibilities to Otter Keeper and takes it upon herself to put everything in order for Halloween (with predictably messy results), is as hilarious as ever. With a bright but gentle palette and soft, rounded shapes, Garton's digitally created cartoon images are a winning mixture of humor and tenderness. Otter is a rambunctious and comical character, and parents and kids alike will giggle at the know-it-all animal's exploits, but they'll also sympathize with her fear-and smile knowingly at her insistence that it's not her but her stuffed toy Pig who's in fact afraid. The Otter tales are simple, yet through the adorable antics and fun, Garton demonstrates a deep understanding of how children think and feel. VERDICT Another wonderful outing with Otter, this latest is also a great way to encourage youngsters who are nervous about celebrating Halloween to get excited about the holiday.-Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In her latest outing, Otter leads Teddy and the other toys in human Otter Keeper's house in attempting to achieve scary new heights in Halloween costumery. The story, featuring ultra-clean illustrations, has a neat twist--it's Otter who gets scared--but for a series promoting creativity, the prose can be pretty unimaginative ("Halloween is the best holiday ever!"). (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Halloween is coming, and Otter is taking the holiday quite seriously, picking out the best pumpkin, choosing an appropriately scary costume, and thoroughly decorating the housebut when trick-or-treaters come, she is in for an unexpected surprise. Fans of Otter's previous titles will certainly celebrate her autumn return (Otter in Space, 2015, etc.). Just like any young tyke who is excited about Halloween, Otter marks the date on the calendar, enlists her (stuffed animal) friends to help her prepare, and often takes things a bit far due to her abundant enthusiasm. In one humorous series of vignettes, she decorates everything she can reach with cobwebs, including Otter Keeper's leg, and dumps a whole container of glitter on her magical broomstick. Even when things don't turn out the way she would like, her innovative resolve inspires, as when Giraffe wants to dress up like a fairy. "He wasn't really taking Halloween seriously. Everyone knows fairies aren't scary. So I added some teeth." After practicing at being scary with Pig, Otter and her cuddly buddies, Giraffe and Teddy, seem readyuntil the doorbell rings. The costumed kids at the door prove a bit too scary for dear Otter. But wise (adult human) Otter Keeper chats with her and Pig, and they come up with a crafty solution. Garton pairs his charming story with funny details in the bright digital illustrations that only make a great book even better. This one's a real treat. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
