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Otter and Odder: A Love Story
When an otter falls in love with a fish, can he dare to follow his heart? A delicious ode to nonconformity from a stellar picture-book pair.
The day Otter found love, he wasn’t looking for it. He was looking for dinner. But then he gazed into the round, sweet, glistening eyes of Myrtle the fish, and he knew. "Impossible," he said. "I am in love with my food source." As for Myrtle, her first desire was: Please don’t eat me. But soon her heart awakened to a future she could never have imagined. The inseparable duo played hide-and-seek and told each other stories, but everyone said that was not the way of the otter. Could their love (and Myrtle) possibly survive? Aided by Chris Raschka’s illustrations in a fresh faux-naïf style, James Howe tells a warm, witty tale about finding kindred spirits in the oddest of places-and having the good sense to keep them.
The day Otter found love, he wasn’t looking for it. He was looking for dinner. But then he gazed into the round, sweet, glistening eyes of Myrtle the fish, and he knew. "Impossible," he said. "I am in love with my food source." As for Myrtle, her first desire was: Please don’t eat me. But soon her heart awakened to a future she could never have imagined. The inseparable duo played hide-and-seek and told each other stories, but everyone said that was not the way of the otter. Could their love (and Myrtle) possibly survive? Aided by Chris Raschka’s illustrations in a fresh faux-naïf style, James Howe tells a warm, witty tale about finding kindred spirits in the oddest of places-and having the good sense to keep them.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2012
About the author
James Howe
213 books455 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James Howe has written more than eighty books in the thirty-plus years he's been writing for young readers. It sometimes confuses people that the author of the humorous Bunnicula series also wrote the dark young adult novel, The Watcher, or such beginning reader series as Pinky and Rex and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award-winning Houndsley and Catina and its sequels. But from the beginning of his career (which came about somewhat by accident after asking himself what kind of vampire a rabbit might make), he has been most interested in letting his imagination take him in whatever direction it cared to. So far, his imagination has led him to picture books, such as I Wish I Were a Butterfly and Brontorina (about a dinosaur who dreams of being a ballerina), mysteries, poetry (in the upcoming Addie on the Inside), and fiction that deals with issues that matter deeply to him. He is especially proud of The Misfits, which inspired national No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) and its sequel Totally Joe. He does not know where his imagination will take him in the next thirty-plus years, but he is looking forward to finding out.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
May 23, 2018
Star-crossed lovers. A story about star-crossed lovers. An odd Otter falls in love with a fish. All the whispering among the otters that he feel in love with his food source breaks them apart, but never fear, this is a story of hope. The wise old beaver helps Otter find a new food source so they can love again.
I love the artwork. It looks like children's crayon drawings to me. Very different.
The kids had fun with this book. They enjoyed it and it's quirky love story.
I love the artwork. It looks like children's crayon drawings to me. Very different.
The kids had fun with this book. They enjoyed it and it's quirky love story.
January 30, 2013
This was a very interesting (and, yes, slightly odd) love story about an otter who falls in love with his food source--a fish. I'm still puzzling out how I feel about the whole thing.
On the one hand, I thought the writing style was lovely and engaging (though some of the vocabulary seemed a bit advanced for young children and there was a bit of a disconnect between the long-ish story and big words and the very child-like illustrations). Also, I just couldn't help cringing a few times (such as when the fish feels the relationship is doomed because the otter keeps eating her friends!) Then Is it just too-too "odd" for little ones? I'm not sure. I think it depends on the child, and on the family situation because...
On the other hand, I think the story has a lot going for it. I could see it being used to educate about vegetarianism/veganism, about LGBT relationships, bullying, or even just about multicultural friendships.
Again, I think the choice of whether to introduce this book to your child will depend on the individual child and how you feel about answering any questions that might arise. If you want a less "controversial" story about friendships between animals of different species, you might check out one of the many picture book spin-offs of the Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom book. However, if you want to go a bit deeper and perhaps feel a little bit uncomfortable, check out this beautifully written if, yes, slightly odd, little picture book.
On the one hand, I thought the writing style was lovely and engaging (though some of the vocabulary seemed a bit advanced for young children and there was a bit of a disconnect between the long-ish story and big words and the very child-like illustrations). Also, I just couldn't help cringing a few times (such as when the fish feels the relationship is doomed because the otter keeps eating her friends!) Then Is it just too-too "odd" for little ones? I'm not sure. I think it depends on the child, and on the family situation because...
On the other hand, I think the story has a lot going for it. I could see it being used to educate about vegetarianism/veganism, about LGBT relationships, bullying, or even just about multicultural friendships.
Again, I think the choice of whether to introduce this book to your child will depend on the individual child and how you feel about answering any questions that might arise. If you want a less "controversial" story about friendships between animals of different species, you might check out one of the many picture book spin-offs of the Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom book. However, if you want to go a bit deeper and perhaps feel a little bit uncomfortable, check out this beautifully written if, yes, slightly odd, little picture book.
April 29, 2019
"But when Otter gazed into those eyes—
those round, sweet, glistening eyes—
he knew that he had found what he had
not known he was looking for."
—from Otter and Odder: A Love Story
Wow. Absolutely incredible. This book blew me away. If you've ever read anything by James Howe, you know he is capable of the most awe-inspiring beauty one could hope to find in the pages of a book, but Otter and Odder is something else again.The story is one of such haunting and powerful resonance, I could not stop crying through most of it. I had to continually get up and go wipe my eyes just so I could see enough to continue reading. Even now, just flipping back through the pages, I'm overwhelmed with emotion at the story contained in this modest little book. The sentiments are so stunning, so purely gorgeous, it almost literally takes my breath away when I read them. Consider the description of the enchanted moment when Myrtle the fish (or Gurgle; one can use either name for her, the narrator assures) falls in love with Otter:
"All she wanted was a loosening of his grip,
a slippery escape,
a return to the safety of family and home.
But then in his eyes
she saw the sparkling river reflected
and a tender and lonely heart revealed.
And the stirrings of her own
heart—
her own tremulous
fish-not-wanting-to-be-dinner
heart—
awakened to something
new and surprising:
not only love but a future
she could never have imagined."
In all the reading I have done in my life, I have never come across a passage that moved my heart more than that one. It is so emotionally charged, it's shorting out my brain somewhat and making it difficult for me to know what to write about it. But the two lead-in sections I have quoted above introduce us to the almost impossibly unlikely pair of Otter and Gurgle, an otter and a fish who fall headlong into the depths of love's miracle when they meet one day by the river. How could an otter truly fall in love with a fish, when otter eat fish? How could there be nothing but the purity of unquestioned love between a pair bound to bring protest from the world at large, which can't begin to understand how or why two animals diametrically opposed on the food chain could resist the monotone of nature's way and instead come to love each other? If it were up to Otter and Gurgle, the all-encompassing love that has rushed in and filled the dark spaces between them, covering over their differences so those things no longer matter, would be enough to give them happiness for life: an otter and a fish together, knowing the harmonious lilt of living in a love that could never die.
"In a perfect world, it would now be written,
And they lived happily ever after.
In a perfect world, an otter could fall in love
with a fish, and a fish with an otter,
and that would be that.
But it is not a perfect world, alas,
and so that is seldom as simple as that."
Others begin murmuring about the unusual affection held by Otter and Gurgle. It isn't "The way of the otter", according to some, and such breach of natural etiquette must be confronted and straightly disallowed. Some think Otter must be losing his mind to consider loving a fish. And it is true that there are difficult issues to get past for Otter and Gurgle. Otter has to eat to survive, and otters subsist on a diet of fish; how, then, is Gurgle to accept the fact that Otter is consuming her friends and family on a daily basis, ending the lives of other fish dear to her even if he never would lay a tooth upon the love of his life? The other animals use this potential rift for all it is worth in trying to break apart Otter and Gurgle, attempting to restore a semblance of order to their way of life, when no otter ever loved a fish as anything but a sumptuous meal. But there is always a way to live a life of integrity when facing extraordinary circumstances such as Otter's dilemma over eating fish, and someone is sure to know how to find that way. As wise Beaver says to Otter, "...there is the way of the otter and there is the way of the heart. It is up to you to decide which to follow." The greatest of loves cannot be trampled down forever even by the feet of those who are strongly against it, or set asunder by even the most challenging conundrums of living at peace with warring needs and desires. The way of the heart is available for the choosing, if one has the courage to walk its pathway in pursuit of a love that can endure through all the slings and arrows aimed its way. The way of love may not always synchronize with the way of the otter, but it is there, and there are those who will find it and muster the strength required to travel its long and winding road. A long, winding road never feels half as long when you're walking it beside the one you love with all your heart.
If there have been one or two picture books I have ever read that surpass the pure power of Otter and Odder—and I'm not at all sure that is the case—there definitely are none that have ever been more personally meaningful to me. Even though I expected nothing but the best from James Howe going into the read, I found my mind blown multiple times between the covers of this book. As brief a story as it is, the sense of love between Otter and Gurgle is so vivid that it tears at one's heart when circumstances conspire to pry them apart, when it appears the differences between a carnivorous land mammal and a piscine swimmer are too much for them to overcome. The heartbreak...it's real, and one feels it on an uncomfortably personal level in Otter and Odder. Real love in jeopardy is never not a crisis of the soul, and love broken beyond repair is a death of hope and happiness that cannot be grieved for too deeply. But love is love, even if others stand against it because they can't fathom why two who seem so different on the surface could genuinely be in love. Love is a mystery, a blessing, a piece of the Divine so intrinsically true to itself that it defies questioning or analysis. It can't be refuted, no matter how diligently those in opposition may try. One of the most reverberatingly haunting moments in Otter and Odder is when Otter, troubled by issues of peer disapproval and the effect of his diet on Gurgle's friends and family, gazes at the midnight sky and can't keep his mind from returning again and again to his beloved. "Is it the way of the otter, he wondered, to be alone?" It may be the way of the otter to be alone, when the object of one's affections is as far off the beaten riverside path as a fish is from its natural predator, but there is also the way of the heart, and it is no less noble a route than the way of the otter. When you feel about each other as Otter and Gurgle do, it's the only way worth choosing.
Is Otter and Odder James Howe's best book? You know, it just may be. James Howe is one of the greats, an author as masterful as any other at expressing the limitless capacity and complexity of the human heart, and never has he done so more gracefully or beautifully than in Otter and Odder. It's becoming one of my all-time favorite books, and is almost undoubtedly my favorite picture book. I'm giving it four and a half stars for now, but if I have it rated as five by the time you read this, you'll know it's because I just couldn't talk myself out of it any longer. I will keep this story locked inside my heart for life, a reminder of love's unending value, to be fought for with all one's heart no matter where or with whom it is found.
those round, sweet, glistening eyes—
he knew that he had found what he had
not known he was looking for."
—from Otter and Odder: A Love Story
Wow. Absolutely incredible. This book blew me away. If you've ever read anything by James Howe, you know he is capable of the most awe-inspiring beauty one could hope to find in the pages of a book, but Otter and Odder is something else again.The story is one of such haunting and powerful resonance, I could not stop crying through most of it. I had to continually get up and go wipe my eyes just so I could see enough to continue reading. Even now, just flipping back through the pages, I'm overwhelmed with emotion at the story contained in this modest little book. The sentiments are so stunning, so purely gorgeous, it almost literally takes my breath away when I read them. Consider the description of the enchanted moment when Myrtle the fish (or Gurgle; one can use either name for her, the narrator assures) falls in love with Otter:
"All she wanted was a loosening of his grip,
a slippery escape,
a return to the safety of family and home.
But then in his eyes
she saw the sparkling river reflected
and a tender and lonely heart revealed.
And the stirrings of her own
heart—
her own tremulous
fish-not-wanting-to-be-dinner
heart—
awakened to something
new and surprising:
not only love but a future
she could never have imagined."
In all the reading I have done in my life, I have never come across a passage that moved my heart more than that one. It is so emotionally charged, it's shorting out my brain somewhat and making it difficult for me to know what to write about it. But the two lead-in sections I have quoted above introduce us to the almost impossibly unlikely pair of Otter and Gurgle, an otter and a fish who fall headlong into the depths of love's miracle when they meet one day by the river. How could an otter truly fall in love with a fish, when otter eat fish? How could there be nothing but the purity of unquestioned love between a pair bound to bring protest from the world at large, which can't begin to understand how or why two animals diametrically opposed on the food chain could resist the monotone of nature's way and instead come to love each other? If it were up to Otter and Gurgle, the all-encompassing love that has rushed in and filled the dark spaces between them, covering over their differences so those things no longer matter, would be enough to give them happiness for life: an otter and a fish together, knowing the harmonious lilt of living in a love that could never die.
"In a perfect world, it would now be written,
And they lived happily ever after.
In a perfect world, an otter could fall in love
with a fish, and a fish with an otter,
and that would be that.
But it is not a perfect world, alas,
and so that is seldom as simple as that."
Others begin murmuring about the unusual affection held by Otter and Gurgle. It isn't "The way of the otter", according to some, and such breach of natural etiquette must be confronted and straightly disallowed. Some think Otter must be losing his mind to consider loving a fish. And it is true that there are difficult issues to get past for Otter and Gurgle. Otter has to eat to survive, and otters subsist on a diet of fish; how, then, is Gurgle to accept the fact that Otter is consuming her friends and family on a daily basis, ending the lives of other fish dear to her even if he never would lay a tooth upon the love of his life? The other animals use this potential rift for all it is worth in trying to break apart Otter and Gurgle, attempting to restore a semblance of order to their way of life, when no otter ever loved a fish as anything but a sumptuous meal. But there is always a way to live a life of integrity when facing extraordinary circumstances such as Otter's dilemma over eating fish, and someone is sure to know how to find that way. As wise Beaver says to Otter, "...there is the way of the otter and there is the way of the heart. It is up to you to decide which to follow." The greatest of loves cannot be trampled down forever even by the feet of those who are strongly against it, or set asunder by even the most challenging conundrums of living at peace with warring needs and desires. The way of the heart is available for the choosing, if one has the courage to walk its pathway in pursuit of a love that can endure through all the slings and arrows aimed its way. The way of love may not always synchronize with the way of the otter, but it is there, and there are those who will find it and muster the strength required to travel its long and winding road. A long, winding road never feels half as long when you're walking it beside the one you love with all your heart.
If there have been one or two picture books I have ever read that surpass the pure power of Otter and Odder—and I'm not at all sure that is the case—there definitely are none that have ever been more personally meaningful to me. Even though I expected nothing but the best from James Howe going into the read, I found my mind blown multiple times between the covers of this book. As brief a story as it is, the sense of love between Otter and Gurgle is so vivid that it tears at one's heart when circumstances conspire to pry them apart, when it appears the differences between a carnivorous land mammal and a piscine swimmer are too much for them to overcome. The heartbreak...it's real, and one feels it on an uncomfortably personal level in Otter and Odder. Real love in jeopardy is never not a crisis of the soul, and love broken beyond repair is a death of hope and happiness that cannot be grieved for too deeply. But love is love, even if others stand against it because they can't fathom why two who seem so different on the surface could genuinely be in love. Love is a mystery, a blessing, a piece of the Divine so intrinsically true to itself that it defies questioning or analysis. It can't be refuted, no matter how diligently those in opposition may try. One of the most reverberatingly haunting moments in Otter and Odder is when Otter, troubled by issues of peer disapproval and the effect of his diet on Gurgle's friends and family, gazes at the midnight sky and can't keep his mind from returning again and again to his beloved. "Is it the way of the otter, he wondered, to be alone?" It may be the way of the otter to be alone, when the object of one's affections is as far off the beaten riverside path as a fish is from its natural predator, but there is also the way of the heart, and it is no less noble a route than the way of the otter. When you feel about each other as Otter and Gurgle do, it's the only way worth choosing.
Is Otter and Odder James Howe's best book? You know, it just may be. James Howe is one of the greats, an author as masterful as any other at expressing the limitless capacity and complexity of the human heart, and never has he done so more gracefully or beautifully than in Otter and Odder. It's becoming one of my all-time favorite books, and is almost undoubtedly my favorite picture book. I'm giving it four and a half stars for now, but if I have it rated as five by the time you read this, you'll know it's because I just couldn't talk myself out of it any longer. I will keep this story locked inside my heart for life, a reminder of love's unending value, to be fought for with all one's heart no matter where or with whom it is found.
February 24, 2018
Me, I wasn't impressed. I thought it was too long in the text, too didactic, too obvious. As much as I like the design of the otter, I found the spreads confusing and the coloring weird and random.
But! Natasha really liked it. She thought the romance was sweet, and she liked the happy ending finally, and everything.
So I'm splitting the difference between my two and her four or five and giving it three stars.
I'm curious to see how other people respond to this.
Library copy.
But! Natasha really liked it. She thought the romance was sweet, and she liked the happy ending finally, and everything.
So I'm splitting the difference between my two and her four or five and giving it three stars.
I'm curious to see how other people respond to this.
Library copy.
January 10, 2013
I did not care for this book. I think the subject matter is really not of interest to kids, the illustrations aren't for me but I can appreciate the style as being appealing to others. I don't understand this surge in picture books about unexpected love. I don't think that's a big topic pre-schoolers are looking for.
December 13, 2012
Although this odd picture book won't be to everyone's taste, I found it strangely appealing. In search of a meal, Otter is mesmerized by the eyes of a fish that he comes to know as Myrtle. Torn between the needs of his stomach and his heart, he follows his heart. But sometimes the course of true love doesn't run smoothly, and the couple faces naysayers who gossip about them and say that Otter's love for a fish isn't natural. After getting sound advice from the wise Beaver who suggests that Otter expand his culinary tastes, they do, indeed, live happily ever after and ignore what others have to say. The book has a great message, and many readers will enjoy the way the narrative moves forward in fits and starts, postponing a quick happy ending or a certain tragedy. The watercolor and pencil illustrations have a childlike quality that allows the story's events to play out quietly. I like to lean backward for a little distance when looking at them.
December 6, 2012
This is an odd, but entertaining story about an otter who falls in love with a fish. I couldn't help thinking throughout the story that it was a metaphor for gay marriage, but I suppose it's appropos for any two groups who are prohibited from being together throughout history (because of race, religion, ethnicity, etc.)
The story is sweet and entertaining and we loved the wise old beaver. The illustrations are very rudimentary and have a child-like quality that is unique, but not my favorite. Overall, we thought this was an heart-warming story and we enjoyed reading it together.
interesting quote:
"I must eat," he said
"But must you eat my friends?" Myrtle asked.
"My family?" (p. 21)
The story is sweet and entertaining and we loved the wise old beaver. The illustrations are very rudimentary and have a child-like quality that is unique, but not my favorite. Overall, we thought this was an heart-warming story and we enjoyed reading it together.
interesting quote:
"I must eat," he said
"But must you eat my friends?" Myrtle asked.
"My family?" (p. 21)
December 7, 2012
This is a wonderfully-written, adorable story of an otter who fell in love with his dinner; it teaches readers to resist peer pressure, to follow their hearts, and that love comes in all shapes and sizes. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to encourage open-mindedness (and/or vegetarianism) in their children.
November 13, 2012
"The day Otter found love, he wasn't looking for it. He was looking for dinner."
It was a very unexpected encounter the day Otter realized he was in love with what naturally would be a food source for him, Myrtle, the fish. It isn't love at first sight for Myrtle, whose initial reaction is one of survival, "Please don't eat me". However, her heart soon turns to thoughts of love. The play and read stories to one another, despite reprimands that "this is not the way of the otter". This is a classic love story of the Romeo & Juliet genre, falling in love with someone who is naturally one's enemy, of a different: race, family, species etc Unlike Romeo and juliet, Otter does overcome these differences, after some helpful tips on compromise from the wise old beaver, and chooses to follow his heart with a happy picture book appropriate conclusion. This theme of following your heart will be appreciated by children and adults alike, the subthemes of nonconformity and biracial relationships, will I suspect be picked up more by the adults alone.
Why I like this book:
I like the theme of finding kindred spirits in unusual places and overcoming prejudice and common practice and stereotypes, in the "way of an otter", to make the relationship work. The book can be read on different levels and consequently certainly had adult as well as kid-appeal. The absurdity and depth of the story are appealing to me and I enjoy Raschka's style, in this case, very childlike illustrations in watercolor with thick pencilled outlines, which I found altogether appropriate for this text. I would love to read this to some children and see their reaction, as what appeals to an adult is not always as child-friendly. Let me know in the comments if you have read this to your children and what their response was.
It was a very unexpected encounter the day Otter realized he was in love with what naturally would be a food source for him, Myrtle, the fish. It isn't love at first sight for Myrtle, whose initial reaction is one of survival, "Please don't eat me". However, her heart soon turns to thoughts of love. The play and read stories to one another, despite reprimands that "this is not the way of the otter". This is a classic love story of the Romeo & Juliet genre, falling in love with someone who is naturally one's enemy, of a different: race, family, species etc Unlike Romeo and juliet, Otter does overcome these differences, after some helpful tips on compromise from the wise old beaver, and chooses to follow his heart with a happy picture book appropriate conclusion. This theme of following your heart will be appreciated by children and adults alike, the subthemes of nonconformity and biracial relationships, will I suspect be picked up more by the adults alone.
Why I like this book:
I like the theme of finding kindred spirits in unusual places and overcoming prejudice and common practice and stereotypes, in the "way of an otter", to make the relationship work. The book can be read on different levels and consequently certainly had adult as well as kid-appeal. The absurdity and depth of the story are appealing to me and I enjoy Raschka's style, in this case, very childlike illustrations in watercolor with thick pencilled outlines, which I found altogether appropriate for this text. I would love to read this to some children and see their reaction, as what appeals to an adult is not always as child-friendly. Let me know in the comments if you have read this to your children and what their response was.
February 9, 2013
Otter and Odder is a special book. A book to savor. A book to read when you don't have little ones clamoring for your attention or during your lunch break at work. It's one of those books that leave me unable to speak to anyone for a bit after I read it for the first time. I need time to soak it in and absorb the wonder of the writing. Don't worry, I'll be fine to read it at story time now that I've had my moment.
The combination of James Howe's writing (of Bunnicula fame) and Chris Raschka's illustrations is pure gold. Howe's writing is measured and tightly formed. There are no poor choices of words to trip over, no missteps in flow. He has distilled the text to it's bare, yet powerful, minimum. It's a bomb.
Raschka's illustrations look simple at first glance, but are brilliant in their child-like sensibility. Don't be fooled. You couldn't do it at home yourself. At least I couldn't. Raschka's illustrations are brilliant renditions in the kindergarten period style. The difference between Raschka's work and those of his audience is the intention, the careful plotting and the unified use of medium throughout. It's brilliant in it's ability to be that simple and simultaneously so powerful.
After I read this book I sat quietly in the presence of it's beauty. I felt I was in the presence of genius. It is a book I will purchase and enjoy reading to my students who are certainly as different and as same as Otter and Fish. An important book for all school children and their adults as well.
The combination of James Howe's writing (of Bunnicula fame) and Chris Raschka's illustrations is pure gold. Howe's writing is measured and tightly formed. There are no poor choices of words to trip over, no missteps in flow. He has distilled the text to it's bare, yet powerful, minimum. It's a bomb.
Raschka's illustrations look simple at first glance, but are brilliant in their child-like sensibility. Don't be fooled. You couldn't do it at home yourself. At least I couldn't. Raschka's illustrations are brilliant renditions in the kindergarten period style. The difference between Raschka's work and those of his audience is the intention, the careful plotting and the unified use of medium throughout. It's brilliant in it's ability to be that simple and simultaneously so powerful.
After I read this book I sat quietly in the presence of it's beauty. I felt I was in the presence of genius. It is a book I will purchase and enjoy reading to my students who are certainly as different and as same as Otter and Fish. An important book for all school children and their adults as well.
January 5, 2013
Otter and Odder: A Love Story by James Howe illustrated by Chris Raschka is an unusual love story about an otter that falls in love with a fish, and whether such a relationship can work.
Raschka's illustrations were done in watercolor and pencil. The images are drawn to appear sinple, as if drawn by a child rather than a noted illustrator.
Howe's story brings up topics of differences, possible LGBT, love, open mindedness, stereotypes, vegetarianism, and bullying. To me, this seems like a story that is more likely to appeal to adults, but others will disagree. The vocabulaty used includes sparkling, glistening, impossible, pleaded, loosening, tremulous, whisper, loneliness, seldom, nonsense, thousandfold, imangined, delicious, plankton, considered, and mysteries. The term food source is used. This complexity is belied by the very simple drawings. It just doesn't match for me. Therefore I give it 3 stars for its story talking about differences, stereotypes, open-mindedness and love. Others may find it just to their taste. I would love to hear how this works when used with children, and how they respond to it.
For peer-pressure, open-mindness, friendship. stereotypes, love, vegetarian, bullying, and fans of James Howe and Chris Raschka.
Raschka's illustrations were done in watercolor and pencil. The images are drawn to appear sinple, as if drawn by a child rather than a noted illustrator.
Howe's story brings up topics of differences, possible LGBT, love, open mindedness, stereotypes, vegetarianism, and bullying. To me, this seems like a story that is more likely to appeal to adults, but others will disagree. The vocabulaty used includes sparkling, glistening, impossible, pleaded, loosening, tremulous, whisper, loneliness, seldom, nonsense, thousandfold, imangined, delicious, plankton, considered, and mysteries. The term food source is used. This complexity is belied by the very simple drawings. It just doesn't match for me. Therefore I give it 3 stars for its story talking about differences, stereotypes, open-mindedness and love. Others may find it just to their taste. I would love to hear how this works when used with children, and how they respond to it.
For peer-pressure, open-mindness, friendship. stereotypes, love, vegetarian, bullying, and fans of James Howe and Chris Raschka.
November 25, 2012
A book that is bound to stir controversey (on many levels) Otter falls in love with Fish. This is not supposed to happen, because, well, Otters eat fish. Usually. And Otter does not care if Fish (Gurgle/Myrtle) is a girl or a boy. There is of course lots of talk - just like in real life - and Otter and Myrtle must overcome personal prejudices and the predjudices of their respective communities to find true happiness.
Raschka's illustations add to the charm of the book - a mix of pencil and watercolor, and the sometimes deceptively simple drawings only serve to highlight what is truly complex texts.
Litte ones will "get it" on a level that only small, unbiased, totally accepting children can; their parents on the other hand may have a fit.
I loved it, but then, I do fall in to the Odder category...
Raschka's illustations add to the charm of the book - a mix of pencil and watercolor, and the sometimes deceptively simple drawings only serve to highlight what is truly complex texts.
Litte ones will "get it" on a level that only small, unbiased, totally accepting children can; their parents on the other hand may have a fit.
I loved it, but then, I do fall in to the Odder category...
March 6, 2018
My daughter began to love reading with James Howe's Bunnicula. I have that first one still. I've loved Chris Raschka's book for so long, cannot pick a favorite, but perhaps this book from them both is going to be the latest one I love. I'm going to read this to my kindergarten granddaughter and I wonder what she'll think. She will pull a young person's thoughts from it, I'm sure. I think it may be a book that transcends ages, one for all of history's tough times and for our times today. It is a story of "what others think should be" and "that change is possible in order to solve life's problems", a story of love. Raschka's crayoned drawings feel a perfect fit for a child's lesson, and a lesson for grown-ups to consider, too.
January 3, 2013
A swing and a miss from a talented duo. The illustrations are off-putting, dark, scribbly and just kind of ugly. I don't like when illustrators mimic children's early drawings. The story has a lot to say----for adults. An otter falls in love with its food-source, a fish. A point is made of the fish's gender being irrelevant--it's a gay rights story. The cross-species love story causes the animals to talk--it's a biracial love story despite the haters. The otter decides to chew on some bark rather than eat a fish---it's a vegetarian story. No kid appeal whatsoever, just an adult agenda.
January 8, 2013
I am really at a loss as to what I think about this book. I think the story is cute but a little too deep for the intended audience. I don't think younger readers really understand why an otter and a fish can't fall in love. It might trigger some interesting comparison and difference conversations but overall the love story was not made humorous so I don't know how much children will appreciated the book.
August 10, 2016
A solid 3 from Miss 10 but a high 3 1/2 from me. I personally loved the watercolour and crayon illustrations; goofy almost yet so eloquent and sweet. The occasional tongue in cheek humour was not lost on me either. Perhaps the lower rating from a child is evidence that children under 12 are just not that enthralled by love stories or tales of unrequited love yet.
October 27, 2012
"There is the way of the otter and there is the way of the heart. It is up to you to decide which to follow."
Love this one from James Howe (THE MISFITS, ADDIE ON THE INSIDE). Add the lovely illustrations by Chris Raschka, and you have an instant classic here.
Love this one from James Howe (THE MISFITS, ADDIE ON THE INSIDE). Add the lovely illustrations by Chris Raschka, and you have an instant classic here.
November 26, 2012
I didn't feel the love for this one that many seem to feel. While I could appreciate the message. It felt too messagey and just didn't make sense. I much prefer the irreverent Tadpole's Promise when contemplating inter-species romance and Tango Makes Three when contemplating open-mindedness.
January 17, 2013
"Impossible," he said. "I am in love with my food source."
LOVE the illustrations for this adorable picture book (and I usually don't like Raschka's stuff). Reminds me of The Wainscott Weasel (another book about a weasel who falls in love with a fish).
LOVE the illustrations for this adorable picture book (and I usually don't like Raschka's stuff). Reminds me of The Wainscott Weasel (another book about a weasel who falls in love with a fish).
October 30, 2012
Well, here's what I think. You either love Raschka or you don't, and you're either OK that some picture books are written for adults, or you aren't.
May 3, 2013
Verily, my heart grew three sizes.
July 15, 2016
Wonderfully weird and weirdly wonderful. Lol.
November 8, 2012
Read more of my reviews at Dazzling Reads
Otter and Odder is a beautiful tale that I loved from beginning to end. Otter, our sweet little friend on this story, discovers the most heartwarming feeling when he falls in love with his food source, a fish.
Beautifully written, Otter and Odder is a tale where a friendly Otter overcomes cultural differences between fishes and otters, and breaks the stereotyped "way of the otter" (they are supposed to eat fishes, not fall in love with them) and learns that there is more than just "one way" to live your life.
The artwork is simply beautiful. Watercolors fill every page giving life to this inspiring love story. The illustrations look as if there were made by a child, but they are not naive. In fact, they are carefully made. I think that children will love seeing this style that in a way, it's easier for them to relate to.
This touching tale delivers a beautiful and clear message about life, cultural differences, stereotypes, friendship, choices and most importantly, what it means to love.
Otter and Odder is a meaningful and moving story for children that adults will certainly love as well. Beautiful!
December 11, 2012
Grades 1-3
Otter is not looking for love on the day that he finds it... instead he is looking for dinner. And the object of his love and of his dinner are one and the same: a fish named Myrtle (Gurgle). While she is fearful at first, he slowly convinces her that she is the love of his life, and they begin to spend time together. But the naysayers have plenty to say about the inappropriateness of the situation, and soon, Myrtle can take it no longer and breaks things off. Otter is heartbroken, but begins to think everyone is right: surely such a relationship was doomed from the beginning. However, he can't stop thinking about his Myrtle, and it takes the wisdom of Beaver to help him see that he must decide for himself whether he will follow the way of the otter or the way of the heart.
A quirky and charming story that young children will appreciate, especially with Raschka's utterly compelling stick figure drawings against bright washes of color. Keep this one in mind for Valentines Day.
Otter is not looking for love on the day that he finds it... instead he is looking for dinner. And the object of his love and of his dinner are one and the same: a fish named Myrtle (Gurgle). While she is fearful at first, he slowly convinces her that she is the love of his life, and they begin to spend time together. But the naysayers have plenty to say about the inappropriateness of the situation, and soon, Myrtle can take it no longer and breaks things off. Otter is heartbroken, but begins to think everyone is right: surely such a relationship was doomed from the beginning. However, he can't stop thinking about his Myrtle, and it takes the wisdom of Beaver to help him see that he must decide for himself whether he will follow the way of the otter or the way of the heart.
A quirky and charming story that young children will appreciate, especially with Raschka's utterly compelling stick figure drawings against bright washes of color. Keep this one in mind for Valentines Day.
January 30, 2013
First of all the cover art and the illustrations in this book are different and yet amazing at the same time. The illustrations are done by Chris Raschka, but during this story the illustrations are really like children did the art work. It's all about the way the illustrations work along side the text, they work really well together. Seeing artwork like this might inspire children to work on their own stories and illustrate their own stories.
The story itself is a wonderful one, about an otter that falls in love with a fish. Other animals begin to call the relationship strange and unnatural, so they decide to end it. Otter is unhappy and learns from wise old beaver that it is alright to love someone, anyone, as long as it comes from the heart.
Children could relate to the artwork. It is simplistic but I think that they would see it as something that they could do and would want to improve on that. It could give them a starting point and a place to work from, an inspiration as it were.
The story itself is a wonderful one, about an otter that falls in love with a fish. Other animals begin to call the relationship strange and unnatural, so they decide to end it. Otter is unhappy and learns from wise old beaver that it is alright to love someone, anyone, as long as it comes from the heart.
Children could relate to the artwork. It is simplistic but I think that they would see it as something that they could do and would want to improve on that. It could give them a starting point and a place to work from, an inspiration as it were.
November 12, 2018
Fascinating, I felt it was more of a 4 star book, but, my daughter felt it was more of a 3 star book.
It was an interested story, an otter falls in love with a fish, but, everyone tells them that it's wrong to be in love with a fish. Even Myrtle, or gurgle if you prefer, decides the relationship isn't going to work because otter is eating her friends and family.
Otter comes across a beaver who introduces him to some new foods and otter decides it's worth giving up fish to get back together with Myrtle.
If there's a lesson here, I suppose it's that you shouldn't listen to others opinion on who you love. The other lesson is that sometimes you may have to change something major about who you are to keep who you love. It's an interesting thought. Conventional wisdom would be to try to fall in love with someone who is just compatible, but, we all know deciding who to fall in love with is something of a wasted attempt.
I thought it was a cool book, but, I think a lot of it will go over kid's heads.
It was an interested story, an otter falls in love with a fish, but, everyone tells them that it's wrong to be in love with a fish. Even Myrtle, or gurgle if you prefer, decides the relationship isn't going to work because otter is eating her friends and family.
Otter comes across a beaver who introduces him to some new foods and otter decides it's worth giving up fish to get back together with Myrtle.
If there's a lesson here, I suppose it's that you shouldn't listen to others opinion on who you love. The other lesson is that sometimes you may have to change something major about who you are to keep who you love. It's an interesting thought. Conventional wisdom would be to try to fall in love with someone who is just compatible, but, we all know deciding who to fall in love with is something of a wasted attempt.
I thought it was a cool book, but, I think a lot of it will go over kid's heads.
October 10, 2012
I don't know what to think about this book. I suspect that it is meant more for adults than the preschool set, as it is very wordy, involves a love story, and offers a higher meaning than the simple tale of an otter who falls for a fish. I also can't say I am personally a fan of the "adult artist drawing like a child" illustration style.
At the same time, I could also see where Otter could be a positive story for vegetarian children. Myrtle the fish tells Otter she can't be friends with him while he's still eating her family members. Otter responds by asking his herbivorous animal friends for advice on what to eat besides fish, and he adopts a plant-based diet. Otter's fellow otters mock him for the change, but Otter remains strong in his conviction. However, there's a happy ending when Myrtle reunites with her friend.
At the same time, I could also see where Otter could be a positive story for vegetarian children. Myrtle the fish tells Otter she can't be friends with him while he's still eating her family members. Otter responds by asking his herbivorous animal friends for advice on what to eat besides fish, and he adopts a plant-based diet. Otter's fellow otters mock him for the change, but Otter remains strong in his conviction. However, there's a happy ending when Myrtle reunites with her friend.
November 1, 2012
A children's story about the complexity of biracial relationships told from a bi-species point of view. When I first picked up the book, I almost put it down because there seemed to be too many words and I didn't like the illustrations. (Sometimes I like Raschka's style, and sometimes I don't.) I kept reading anyway and was not disappointed.
An otter falls in love with a fish, his main food source. Things got complicated when people started to talk. The fish asked the otter if he had to eat her friends and family. The otter didn't see a way around it. It was "the way of the otter." Then one day the wise beaver (see the animal choice as you will) suggests that the otter eat other things. Then he could follow "the way of the heart" instead of "the way of the otter." Otter changed his lifestyle and was reunited with his ladylove.
An otter falls in love with a fish, his main food source. Things got complicated when people started to talk. The fish asked the otter if he had to eat her friends and family. The otter didn't see a way around it. It was "the way of the otter." Then one day the wise beaver (see the animal choice as you will) suggests that the otter eat other things. Then he could follow "the way of the heart" instead of "the way of the otter." Otter changed his lifestyle and was reunited with his ladylove.
October 29, 2012
As Otter is swimming along in the pond one morning searching for a little something to eat, the most unexpected thing happens. He spots a fish but instead of eating her, he looks into her eyes and falls in love. They (the other otters) thought that it was wrong, and the talked about him behind his back. It was then her started to question whether it was okay for an otter to be in love with his food source. Myrtle or also may be known as Gurggle, did not want him to eat her family and fiends. With the wise advise from his friend Beaver he will discover what he is to do. This is a cute little story about how it is not always best to listen to what others are saying and follow your heart.
November 24, 2012
The unlikely love story of an otter and a fish. When looking for dinner one day Otter falls hopelessly in love with a fish known as Gurgle, though he mistakenly hears Myrtle. The other creatures gossip about their unlikely relationship and the pair confront some hard truths such as will Otter continue to eat fish? Wise Beaver presents a solution by offering Otter an alternate food source and the pair reunite for their happily ever after.
Enchanting storytelling combined with watercolor and pencil illustrations make for a tender love story that is sure to warm your heart. Raschka excels at capturing the emotions of the main characters and drawing them so simply. In one word this book is: special.
Enchanting storytelling combined with watercolor and pencil illustrations make for a tender love story that is sure to warm your heart. Raschka excels at capturing the emotions of the main characters and drawing them so simply. In one word this book is: special.
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