Oliver’s Otter Phase

What child hasn’t wondered what it would be like to be an animal, able to hop, fly, or slither with ease? After a trip to an aquarium, Oliver decides he wants to be a sea otter. Oliver tries to copy sea otter behavior at meals, while playing, during a trip to the store, and at bath time. However, during the course of the day, Oliver discovers that he just doesn’t have the same adaptations. Being an otter isn’t easy for a human. What’s an otter—we mean, a boy—to do?

This fictional story includes a 4-page For Creative Minds section in the back of the book and a 30-page cross-curricular Teaching Activity Guide online. Oliver’s Otter Phase is vetted by experts and designed to encourage parental engagement. Its extensive back matter helps teachers with time-saving lesson ideas, provides extensions for science, math, and social studies units, and uses inquiry-based learning to help build critical thinking skills in young readers. The Spanish translation supports ELL and dual-language programs. The interactive ebook reads aloud in both English and Spanish with word highlighting and audio speed control to promote oral language skills, fluency, pronunciation, text engagement, and reading comprehension.

Written by Lisa Connors, Illustrated by Karen Jones (Lee)
32 pg, 8.5 X 10, Ages 3-7, Grades K-3, Lexile: 550, F&P: L

Reviews:

Deftly capitalizing on children’s predilection for imaginative play, this book neatly packs a solid informational punch.
- Kirkus Reviews

One of the most appealing feature of "Oliver's Otter Phase" is its endearing, expressive illustrations, encouraging young readers to imagine themselves as young sea otters just like Oliver.
- Midwest Book Review

I have to say that Oliver's Otter Phase is at the top of my list of favorite children's books. It tells about otters in an engaging way, and Oliver is a kooky, yet adorable, boy. The illustrations are also appealing...
- Heck of a Bunch

Author/Illustrator Info:

Lisa Connors spent her childhood exploring fields and catching frogs in a nearby stream. No frogs were harmed in her adventures; she would build them a raft and set them floating back down the stream. Her love of nature lead her to obtain her BS in Medical Technology and two Masters, one in Environmental Studies and the other in Teaching. Now she shares her love of science and nature through writing. While she has long written nature essays, Oliver's Otter Phase is Lisa's debut picture book. Lisa lives in a home called "Halcyon" with her family, accompanied by their Redbone Bluetick hound, two cats, and lots of wildlife for Lisa to encounter and learn about. Visit her website at www.lisaconnors.wordpress.com.

Award-winning illustrator Karen Jones began her career as a storyboard artist and editorial illustrator but it wasn't until she had children of her own that she discovered her true artistic passion: children's illustration. In addition to Oliver's Otter Phase, Karen has illustrated Midnight Madness at the Zoo, One Odd Day, My Even Day and My Half Day for Arbordale. She has also written and illustrated ABC Safari. Karen and her family live outside of Raleigh, NC. Karen's children join her on many research trips to museums, zoos and aquariums-a tough job, but someone has to do it! Visit Karen's website.