Beaver and Otter Get Along...Sort of

August 1, 2021
An enterprising beaver establishes a home despite some neighborly interference. When Beaver discovers a valley stream lined with aspens, alders, and pines, he begins work on his new lodge. For several weeks he cuts trees, removes branches, and weaves them across the stream to form a pond and build a lodge for himself and his new mate. Gradually, the pond attracts a diverse community of plants and animals, including Otter, who fishes in Beaver's pond and creates a racket with his rambunctious family. While pond life quiets in winter, the otters manage to turn Beaver's lodge into a toboggan run and repeatedly create holes in the dam that Beaver must repeatedly repair. In spring, both Beaver and Otter have new families, but the otters remain pesky. Over time, however, Beaver and Otter learn to co-exist as their environment transforms. Within this seemingly simple story of animal neighbors, the author successfully introduces facts about beavers and otters, concluding with helpful sections on how each species adapts, on beavers as engineers, and on commensal relationships. Teaching tips for reading the text aloud and prompting social-emotional learning, along with suggestions for activities and a brief bibliography of nature-awareness materials, provide a pedagogical boon. Engaging, accurate, realistic watercolor illustrations present Beaver and Otter at work and play in their natural habitats. A visually appealing and scientifically informative introduction to beavers, otters, and their interaction. (Picture book. 4-8)

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September 1, 2021

K-Gr 2-When a family of river otters moves into the cozy habitat beavers help create, frustration and irritation abound for the beaver family. While the beavers work hard, the river otters seem oblivious to this and play in the water, eating crayfish. These two species have a commensal relationship, which means the beavers' work helps the river otters, but the river otters don't help the beavers. Collard's story is biased in favor of the industrious beaver, as when he describes how the river otters dig holes in the frozen stream. This necessitates the beavers' need to patch the holes up, without explaining the otters likely dug the holes to eat; crayfish is a major part of their winter diet. Collard establishes the river otters as nuisances with no purpose. Anthropomorphizing is a slippery slope when sharing nonfiction regarding animals, and it backfires in this story. Sodano's mixed media art, dominated by brilliant watercolors, creates a stunning world of wonder and is the crowning glory of this piece. Extensive back matter includes further information about both animals, connections to SEL, how to read the book for engagement, and STEM sources. VERDICT An additional selection for libraries where nonfiction materials on animals are popular.-Rachel Zuffa, Case H.S., Racine, WI

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September 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 3 A beaver discovers a stream, fells nearby trees, and constructs a dam, creating a new pond. Using gnawed-off sticks to build a den, he attracts a mate and starts a family. Other animals are drawn to the place: fish, frogs, turtles, snakes, and moose. More troublesome for Beaver, Otter becomes a pesky newcomer, and soon a mother otter and her pups move to the pond as well. They don't compete for food, but they have different habits. In winter, the otters slide down the sides of the beavers' snow-covered den and even create a hole in the dam. But eventually, the beavers learn to coexist with their bothersome neighbors. "And that is enough." Collard offers a light narrative to help young children connect with the scientific facts and ideas presented here, while Sodano contributes lively, attractive illustrations of animals within their habitat. The back matter compares the physical features of the two animals and then discusses commensal relationships in nature and connects the concept with specific human-relationship skills related to social-emotional learning. An appealing, informative picture book.

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