Review Detail

Otto is an (adorable) otter. He can do many things, including somersaults, performing kind deeds to frogs, and sliding in the mud. However, there is one thing he cannot do -- and that's swim. Of course, his friends, Bear and Beaver, can swim like crazy . . .and that makes Otto feel left out and sad.

Otto's mommy tells him he will learn to swim "little by little." Otto does try some, but he mostly just sits and wishes and wishes that he could swim. Then his sister gives him some terrific advice, about starting small. His first small step is to hop along the riverbed. And that one small start leads, eventually, to a big happy ending.

One strength of this story is that it shows Otto getting started on his project, and then struggling. It shows him trying one thing after another. When something doesn't help, he tries something else. It's obvious, too, that it takes not just effort but time for Otto to reach success. With a great theme, an appealing character, and charming illustrations, this book is a perfect read-aloud on a hot summer's day, especially to a child who can't yet swim (or is working on another, similar milestone).