A Lot of Otters (Picture Puffins)
on Goodreads (224)
What’s inside...
Mother Moon is searching for her lost child. When she cries out for him, her tears transform into stars that descend into the sea. A group of otters rescue the stars and her child, frolicking in the starlight. Eventually, Mother Moon sees them all playing together, and is relieved to find her child safe and sound. The story, accompanied by Barbara Helen Berger's beautiful poetic words and luminous illustrations, makes for a perfect bedtime read. The playful otters and the dreamlike tale are sure to captivate toddlers, as noted in a starred review by School Library Journal.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do the otters help the child in the story find his lost book?
What do you think the moonlight symbolizes in the story?
How does the story make you feel about helping others?
What would you do if you found a lost item like the child's book?
Can you think of a time when you worked together with friends to solve a problem?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story’s events and characters, promoting emotional intelligence.
Discuss the importance of cooperation, using the otters’ teamwork in the story as an example.
Link the story to real-life situations, asking your child how they might act in similar scenarios.
Use the story’s setting and imagery to spark a conversation about nature and the environment.
Highlight the problem-solving aspects of the story to help build your child’s critical thinking skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In the story, the otters work together to help the baby find a lost book, demonstrating how collaboration can achieve goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in team activities at school or in sports, learning how to cooperate and achieve common goals with their peers.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The central character imagines a fantastical journey with otters, showcasing the power of imagination and storytelling.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to engage in creative play and storytelling, enhancing their cognitive and communicative skills.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of obstacles
Explanation: The protagonist overcomes various challenges during the adventure with the otters, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to persistently tackle challenges in their learning and personal endeavors, understanding that obstacles can be overcome with determination.
Example Lesson: Value of reading and books
Explanation: The book highlights a child’s attachment to a book, underlining the importance of reading and the adventures that books can offer.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore books and develop a reading habit that can provide both knowledge and entertainment.