The Otter Who Wanted to Know is a book for children of about 7 and over which they can read to themselves, or perhaps as a bedtime story with one chapter a day. It is by the popular children’s author Jill Tomlinson, and has nine chapters, with just a few pencil drawings within the text. There are also smaller drawings at the head of each chapter.
The story is about a young sea otter called Pat, and her friend Bobby. In the first chapter called “Questions, questions, questions” we see Pat staying close to her mother and playing among the sea kelp. We learn details such as how Pat keeps a pebble under her armpit, and uses it to open shellfish. Pat is very inquisitive, and bombards Bobby, a boy otter who is a little older than her, with questions. Patiently he explains all about surviving in her home environment, feeding, storms, sharks and killer whales.
Still Pat asks more and more questions, so Bobby takes her to meet Gaffer, an old otter who tells her that there are all different sorts of otters, such as land otters. He also tells her about humans, and how men used to hunt otters. The story continues with a strong message about conservation. We see that as well as being a story of a little otter growing up, this is a worthy account of a species pushed to an endangered status, by the greed of humans. We see that just a few humans care enough to do something about it.
Although I approve of the message, I have to confess that I found this to be a rather dry read, packed with too many facts. Because I had hoped to give it to my little cousin, I also found another more colourful picture book about otters, which will hopefully stimulate her interest enough to want to read this one.
For those children who enjoy this read, here are the others in the series:
“The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark
The Cat Who Wanted to Go Home
The Gorilla Who Wanted to Grow Up
The Hen Who Wouldn’t Give Up
The Penguin Who Wanted to Find Out“