Otters Under Water

by Jim Arnosky

Under the watchful eye of their mother on the shore, two otter pups glide, dive, hunt and explore their underwater world. Arnosky's watercolor illustrations deftly entice even reluctant, landlocked readers into his aquatic underworld." -- Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Science, Nonfiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 1992

About the author

Jim Arnosky was born in New York City, NY Sept 1, 1946. He was raised in Pennsylvania. Jim graduated from high school in Philadelphia and joined the US Naval Reserves. His active duty took him to Maryland and Bremerhaven, Germany.

In 1976 Jim and his wife Deanna moved to Vermont with their two daughters where they have lived in an old farmhouse for the past 28 years. 17 of those years were spent raising sheep.

Jim is self taught in writing, art and the natural sciences. He has written and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and has illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations.

Jim loves to fish, boat, and play his guitar. In his work, he uses a Betacam SP video camcorder with a 1600 mm lens to record the wildlife he and Deanna find all across the country.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

With simple text - no more than a phrase or sentence per page - and luminous illustrations, author/artist Jim Arnosky describes the underwater adventures of two otter cubs, as they cavort in their pond home. Mama otter is always watching from the shore, and when the two are finished exploring, they join her...

Having enjoyed two of Arnosky's other works of picture-book natural history - Raccoons and Ripe Corn and Slow Down for Manatees - I immediately snapped up Otters Under Water when I saw it at my public library last week. Otters are charming - hence, my "otterly charming" shelf! - and Arnosky captures their joie de vivre in his lovely artwork. The text here is very basic, and there is no back matter giving more information about these animals, so this is one I would recommend for very young animal lovers, who will enjoy a naturalistic story about otters, but are not yet ready for something more detailed. I also recommend it, of course, to fans of Arnosky's artwork. In either case, readers should be aware that the otters depicted here are river/pond otters, rather than sea otters.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otters under Water by Jim Arnosky follows two otter pups as they glide, dive, hunt for food, and explore their underwater world, watched by their mother on shore.

The text features large fonts and simple words, with some repetion, making it a choice for beginning readers. There are a number of pond and swimming words including glide, ripples, swimming, diving, underwater, crayfish, floating, snapping turtles, muskrats, perch, minnow and surface.

The illustrations are lovely, with lots of blues, yellows, greens and browns. A number of animals and insects are pictured in natural poses and settings. Shadows and shading are used to good advantage.

This is a good choice for preschool storytimes.

For ages 3 to 6, otters, ponds, environment, animal themes, and fans of Jim Arnosky.

[Sophie Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good nonfiction book. The drawings are seriously beautiful and the pages don't have many words on them so it would be great for the younger aged kids. It's fun to look at and read, but it is also informational as well!

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet fun book to share with with children.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking illustrations.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic story about a family of otters. I must admit I was disappointed that none of the illustrations showed the otters holding hands.

[Rachel Stine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable account of two young otters playing underwater. Arnosky peppers the story with true facts about otters and the names of several animals they encounter.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second favorite animal but medium as far as how much I liked this title.

[Carly Hales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!! The pictures and words are just enchanting in the simplest way. This one ranks with Deer at the Brook.

[Mal the Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so cute. Otters are adorable.

[Becky Enright · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two year old loves this story!!

[Danielle Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple prose with beautiful illustrations telling how two otter pups spend a morning.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty illustrations and a nice simple, quick read for children. My daughter loved that the story moved right along. She also loved seeing all of the different types of animals in the book.

[Bronwen Merrill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations but a very boring book.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We really enjoy reading books by Jim Arnosky. His illustrations are always fabulous and his books are very informative. I love his emphasis on nature. This book explains a little bit about the habits of otters. It's a short, entertaining story that will appeal to children of all ages. I read this book in a bookstore in the center of Brussels while shopping for a book to bring home to our girls.

[Eugenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

NY, G.P.Putnam's Sons, 1992
Jim Arnosky does a beautiful job of telling and showing how animals behave in their natural environment. This picture book tells of an otter family and of their frolics in the water. I would use this in a read-aloud for kindergarten or first grade. It is a nice addition in an oral language lesson for promoting conversation. I might point out how the mother watches her pups and how animals play as a lead in to comparing how different animals live in different places. The illustrations are a major contribution to the story and are bright and cheerful.

[Rose]

E Arn

[Willow]

I liked this book when I was little.

[Cws]

JEPIC-Arn

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best plot ever, but I LOVED the art.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually not plot driven, but we enjoy Arnosky's wildlife observation through his art.

[Trisan · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the illustrations.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otters are so cute! Great illustration, very simple text that could appeal to the three and under crowd but even at five it's a fun if short read.

[Willow]

I used to love reading or somebody reading this book to me when I was little.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy likes it; I happen to like it, too. It has a nice cadence for being read aloud.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 5 out of 5]

8* art
4* words/story

So very beautiful.

[Maia HF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty water colors of otters swimming.