[LM_NET] ELEM: BOOK REVIEW: Utterly Otterly Day by Mary Casanova

[Toni Buzzeo <tonibuzzeo@TONIBUZZEO.COM>]

Utterly Otterly Day by Mary Casanova, illustrated by Ard Hoyt. Simon 
& Schuster, 2008. 978-1-4169-0868-5

The title gives you all the clues you need here to the rich, playful 
quality of the language in this "utterly" delightful picture 
book.  Casanova and Hoyt, who successfully teamed up twice before on 
One-Dog Canoe (FSG, 2003) and Some Dog (FSG, 2007), have returned for 
a third time in a lively adventure about a rascally little otter 
whose name, LITTLE Otter, belies his undaunted-and often 
foolhardy-courage in his encounters with eagles, falling trees felled 
by beavers, snapping turtle jaws, a human fisherman, and finally a 
menacing cougar.  All escape is by luck rather than wisdom until that 
cougar comes along.  Only then does Little Otter heed parental 
warnings and somersault willfully out of reach.  Hoyt's pen and ink 
with watercolor illustrations are just as funny as Little Otter's 
adventures and will keep young readers fully engaged as will the 
tongue-tickling language as the story SWISHILY SWASHILY SWISHES its 
way to a safe and cozy conclusion.  Read this one aloud just for fun 
or recommend it for Six-Traits Word Choice!  Suggested grades: PreK-2.


Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS <mailto:tonibuzzeo@tonibuzzeo.com>
Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year Emerita
Buxton, ME 04093
http://www.tonibuzzeo.com
The Library Doors, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott (Upstart 
2008) BRAND NEW

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