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Otter #1
I Am Otter
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2014)The curious, charming, playful, and internet-famous Otter makes her picture book debut in I Am Otter by author-illustrator Sam Garton. Here's what Otter has to say about her book: "Hi! I am Otter, and this is a book about me and my best friends, Otter Keeper and Teddy. And it's about the fun and messy (and little bit scary) adventure we had one day when Otter Keeper was at work. I hope you like the story! (And if you don't, it's probably Teddy's fault.)" Otter's utterly winning voice and Sam Garton's classic yet fresh artwork combine to create a truly hilarious and unforgettable friendship story.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2014
10 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Sam Garton
14 books161 followersI’m Sam, I’m 33 and I live in Wokingham! I have a degree in illustration and I spend most of my time drawing Otters whilst generally making a mess and thinking about why I still haven’t bought a kitten. I like putting inappropriate sweets in the freezer (Jelly tots) and my favourite film is Homeward bound. I wish I looked cool wearing headbands but I don’t. Oh and I’m rubbish at looking after house plants.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
January 30, 2014
I am the author/illustrator's agent. That doesn't stop me from being unabashedly smitten with Otter and her family of Otter Keeper, Teddy, and even Giraffe.
If you somehow prove resistant to Otter's charm, I will worry about you.
If you somehow prove resistant to Otter's charm, I will worry about you.
November 12, 2014
I absolutely love this book. Otter Keeper (Sam Garton) is an extremely kind man (I won this through a giveaway on his website and he shipped it all the way from the U.K.! Also, for some reason I had the bright idea to tell him I was having a rough time and he was kind enough to talk to me and cheer me up). He even wrote me a note!
Otter and Teddy and Giraffe and Otter Keeper deserve all the success they receive :) It's a very cute book and the pictures are very well illustrated. The story is adorable and I always love reading about Otter's hijinks.
If you didn't know, I Am Otter is actually based on his web comic: http://www.iamotter.co.uk
I've been following it since around 2009 and the stories are hilarious and entertaining ^__^ They always cheer me up! (I'm not telling you you should subscribe to the stories...but I'm telling you you should subscribe to the stories.)
I highly recommend this to anyone, be it someone young or old. Really, the cuteness is going to cheer you up immediately.
Go on and buy it for your little nieces and nephews or sons and daughters or what have you. You can even buy it for yourself. There is no judging in the I Am Otter world.
Look at the art!
(The above are taken from the website; the below is a very bad quality image I took of the interior.)
You can't resist the otter
Otter and Teddy and Giraffe and Otter Keeper deserve all the success they receive :) It's a very cute book and the pictures are very well illustrated. The story is adorable and I always love reading about Otter's hijinks.
If you didn't know, I Am Otter is actually based on his web comic: http://www.iamotter.co.uk
I've been following it since around 2009 and the stories are hilarious and entertaining ^__^ They always cheer me up! (I'm not telling you you should subscribe to the stories...but I'm telling you you should subscribe to the stories.)
I highly recommend this to anyone, be it someone young or old. Really, the cuteness is going to cheer you up immediately.
Go on and buy it for your little nieces and nephews or sons and daughters or what have you. You can even buy it for yourself. There is no judging in the I Am Otter world.
Look at the art!
(The above are taken from the website; the below is a very bad quality image I took of the interior.)
You can't resist the otter
April 23, 2014
I selected this from the Amazon Vine program solely for the purpose of reading it to my cousin's young son and daughter, but of course I had to read it for myself first. The cover is adorable. I couldn't resist.
I wasn't familiar with the blog (I Am Otter: The Unheard Ramblings of a Modern Day Domestic Otter), so this was my introduction to the work of London's Sam Garton. Judging by this book, Garton's work is charming, infused with a gentle sense of humor, and likely to appeal to a wide selection of picture book readers/listeners.
When I was a wee reader, we didn't have the Internet yet. Fortunately, Web access is not required for this book to be enjoyed. I, for one, am glad Otter made the leap from the Internet to the printed page. I strongly suspect this won't be the last paper-and-ink adventure in which this sweet aquatic member of the weasel family will star.
In this slim but colorful picture book, Otter and her stuffed animal friend Teddy decide to open their own business while Otter Keeper is at work. It's a winning idea: toast restaurant. Who doesn't love a good toast? Of course, if things don't quite go Otter's way, she has other four-legged friends (stuffed with cotton though they may be) to blame.
Otter is not a stuffed animal. She is a real otter.
Don't worry, though. Otter Keeper - who bears a certain resemblance to Garton himself - appears to have endless patience for his mammalian companion's frisky antics.
I wasn't familiar with the blog (I Am Otter: The Unheard Ramblings of a Modern Day Domestic Otter), so this was my introduction to the work of London's Sam Garton. Judging by this book, Garton's work is charming, infused with a gentle sense of humor, and likely to appeal to a wide selection of picture book readers/listeners.
When I was a wee reader, we didn't have the Internet yet. Fortunately, Web access is not required for this book to be enjoyed. I, for one, am glad Otter made the leap from the Internet to the printed page. I strongly suspect this won't be the last paper-and-ink adventure in which this sweet aquatic member of the weasel family will star.
In this slim but colorful picture book, Otter and her stuffed animal friend Teddy decide to open their own business while Otter Keeper is at work. It's a winning idea: toast restaurant. Who doesn't love a good toast? Of course, if things don't quite go Otter's way, she has other four-legged friends (stuffed with cotton though they may be) to blame.
Otter is not a stuffed animal. She is a real otter.
Don't worry, though. Otter Keeper - who bears a certain resemblance to Garton himself - appears to have endless patience for his mammalian companion's frisky antics.
November 16, 2018
Mischievous Otter gets up to all kinds of trouble when the Otter Keeper is away from home, playing restaurant with her best friend, Teddy. The resultant chaos and mess lead to trouble, and Otter attempts to pass the blame on to her stuffed companion. But then Teddy disappears, and Otter realizes just how much she cares for her friend...
The first of a number of picture-books featuring the cute-as-a-button Otter, I Am Otter is a charming look at an all-too-common childhood experience: making a terrible mess in the absence of an adult, and attempting to weasel (or otter) out of it afterward. The fact that it is an Otter (an adorable otter!) making trouble here adds to the sense of fun, as do the colorful illustrations. Recommended to all young otter lovers, as well as to anyone searching for entertaining children's stories about friendship, family, and taking (or not) responsibility for one's own messes.
The first of a number of picture-books featuring the cute-as-a-button Otter, I Am Otter is a charming look at an all-too-common childhood experience: making a terrible mess in the absence of an adult, and attempting to weasel (or otter) out of it afterward. The fact that it is an Otter (an adorable otter!) making trouble here adds to the sense of fun, as do the colorful illustrations. Recommended to all young otter lovers, as well as to anyone searching for entertaining children's stories about friendship, family, and taking (or not) responsibility for one's own messes.
May 1, 2014
God, GIRAFFE.
July 14, 2014
Otter loves living with his keeper. They play together every weekend and have the best time. Unfortunately, Keeper has to go to work each week, leaving the mischievous Otter to his own devices. Bored, Otter starts his own toast restaurant for all of his stuffed animals, but it doesn't go at all like he'd planned. The results are disastrous -- and hilarious. This is a cute, original story, and the ending made me laugh out loud the first time I read it. It's the illustrations that really make the book, though. Not only are they adorable, but they are so full of rich detail that I notice new elements every time I read.
November 29, 2014
This book was cute and funny. I was a little worried that I wouldn't really be into it, but some of Otter's hijinks are hilarious. I actually laughed out loud when I saw all the stuffed animals lined up outside the door to get into Otter and Teddy's "Tost Restaurant" LOL. This book will make a great gift for my youngest godchild.
May 10, 2016
*Review update *
After being challenged to look at this from the get real rather than six feet, I have come to appreciate the book I couldn't from a more adult perspective.
Now my son likes this book more than I do. He wants to borrow the Otter books everytime he sees them at the library. Based on his reaction, I'd say he would rate them at four or five stars.
What I liked:
- The otter character is the highlight. Much like Curious George, Otter send to be based on kid behavior.
- The art work is topnotch.
- *Updated* Otter is allowed to be an otter and not expected to act like an adult. I think we adults expect kids to act like adults too often. While I didn't like the misspelled signs from an adult perspective, I do not expect my kid to be grammatically correct and the fact is seeing signs that are misspelled probably will help him be more tolerant than his dad. :)
What I didn't like:
- The misspelled signs. I recognize these are supposed to be created by Otter who doesn't spell well, but it is something that rubs me the wrong way.
- Otter blaming others. Again, a personal issue and I realize that this is normal kid behavior in certain years, but it feels more like a story where Otter is trying to get out of trouble rather than working through the dilemma.
Overall, this is a good book and my boy asks for books in this series several times when we borrow them. Just hits some of my pet peeves.
After being challenged to look at this from the get real rather than six feet, I have come to appreciate the book I couldn't from a more adult perspective.
Now my son likes this book more than I do. He wants to borrow the Otter books everytime he sees them at the library. Based on his reaction, I'd say he would rate them at four or five stars.
What I liked:
- The otter character is the highlight. Much like Curious George, Otter send to be based on kid behavior.
- The art work is topnotch.
- *Updated* Otter is allowed to be an otter and not expected to act like an adult. I think we adults expect kids to act like adults too often. While I didn't like the misspelled signs from an adult perspective, I do not expect my kid to be grammatically correct and the fact is seeing signs that are misspelled probably will help him be more tolerant than his dad. :)
What I didn't like:
- The misspelled signs. I recognize these are supposed to be created by Otter who doesn't spell well, but it is something that rubs me the wrong way.
- Otter blaming others. Again, a personal issue and I realize that this is normal kid behavior in certain years, but it feels more like a story where Otter is trying to get out of trouble rather than working through the dilemma.
Overall, this is a good book and my boy asks for books in this series several times when we borrow them. Just hits some of my pet peeves.
December 9, 2018
تصويرگري زيبا و جذاب
February 15, 2015
Drawings, Story, Tone
When all of the elements come together in just the right balance - as they do here - you get a real winner. If you have a grandchild named "Arthur" whose slightly older brother can only say "Otter", well that's the jackpot.
The drawings here are crisp, well colored, and very expressive. Emotions like "confusion", actions like "play", and feelings like "safe and secure", are brutally difficult to capture and express in drawings, but Garton gets it right on every page. It is always clear what is going on with Otter, and it's possible for a little reader to make a real connection with these visuals.
Captions and narrative are challenging because it's so easy to get cloying or clunky. Again, Garton hits that poetic sweet spot where he writes just enough to drive the tale without overreaching.
As to what I think of as "tone", is our character too cutesy or too clingy, or is he just so twee or hyper or manic? No. For me Otter is just the right combination of funny, mellow, curious, spirited, playful and appealing. He doesn't come with a lot of extra business; he isn't weighed down with any message; there isn't anything heavy handed about his story. The whole tone or feeling here is one of play and security and belonging. And isn't that just exactly what you want in a favorite picture book?
When all of the elements come together in just the right balance - as they do here - you get a real winner. If you have a grandchild named "Arthur" whose slightly older brother can only say "Otter", well that's the jackpot.
The drawings here are crisp, well colored, and very expressive. Emotions like "confusion", actions like "play", and feelings like "safe and secure", are brutally difficult to capture and express in drawings, but Garton gets it right on every page. It is always clear what is going on with Otter, and it's possible for a little reader to make a real connection with these visuals.
Captions and narrative are challenging because it's so easy to get cloying or clunky. Again, Garton hits that poetic sweet spot where he writes just enough to drive the tale without overreaching.
As to what I think of as "tone", is our character too cutesy or too clingy, or is he just so twee or hyper or manic? No. For me Otter is just the right combination of funny, mellow, curious, spirited, playful and appealing. He doesn't come with a lot of extra business; he isn't weighed down with any message; there isn't anything heavy handed about his story. The whole tone or feeling here is one of play and security and belonging. And isn't that just exactly what you want in a favorite picture book?
July 26, 2018
Otter lives with an otter keeper, who has to go to work every morning, and a toy best friend, Teddy. Otter does not like the fact that otter keeper has a job because the otter keeper leaves him alone at home and does not play with him during the day. So Otter decides to open a toast restaurant with Teddy. The restaurant does not do well, which causes a lot of mess and troubles. Otter gets angry and blames Teddy for the mess, but later Otter realizes that Teddy is not at fault, but the toy Giraffe is.
The story was fun and hilarious. The behaviors and thoughts of Otter reminded me of the frustrations of young children, when their parents leave for work. They do their best to receive attention from their parents by causing a mess and want to hinder their parent from work. Children also love to play restaurant with their imaginary friends and toys. Thus, this story would be appealing to children. Otter encounters a series of problems when running the toast restaurant, the illustration on the wide double-spread emphasizes the disaster that occurred in the kitchen. One thing I was concerned about in the story was Otter's attitude, as he blames others. The story was fun and children would love to read the story, but I wonder what the moral impact is on young readers.
The story was fun and hilarious. The behaviors and thoughts of Otter reminded me of the frustrations of young children, when their parents leave for work. They do their best to receive attention from their parents by causing a mess and want to hinder their parent from work. Children also love to play restaurant with their imaginary friends and toys. Thus, this story would be appealing to children. Otter encounters a series of problems when running the toast restaurant, the illustration on the wide double-spread emphasizes the disaster that occurred in the kitchen. One thing I was concerned about in the story was Otter's attitude, as he blames others. The story was fun and children would love to read the story, but I wonder what the moral impact is on young readers.
June 17, 2014
This book is a spinoff of author Sam Garton’s blog, “I am Otter: The Unheard Ramblings of a Modern Day Domestic Otter,” which chronicles the escapades of Otter and Otter Keeper. In this episode, Otter must find a way to amuse herself and her best friend Teddy while Otter Keeper goes off to work. She decides to open a toast restaurant because toast is easy. However Teddy is a stuffed bear and is soon way in over his head. Hijinks and pandemonium erupt and are depicted with hilarious and thoroughly entertaining illustrations. The two-page spread of the kitchen disaster is a masterpiece. Otter blames Teddy for the mess and he disappears. But alert young readers will be able to spot Teddy’s hiding place. Reminiscent of Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat – only funnier – “I Am Otter” is the perfect beginning to a brand new friendship. I trust there are more Otter adventures in store for readers.
February 9, 2016
Hands down the most entertaining, original, fun family read we have seen in a long time. Flip Flap Fly remains my favorite children's book but this one, in one read with our 3-year-old, moved up to #2 immediately. When we closed the book my husband and I were almost doubled over laughing. If Otter Keeper ever needs an Otter Sitter, please consider us available! We will even eat the burned toast!
September 7, 2016
Absolutely delightful. Garton conveys the story through an excellent synthesis of lively, expressive illustrations and witty, accessible narration, each supporting the other and making the whole much greater than either of its parts. The little touches, such as Otter's frazzled whiskers when she's angry or working hard, add zest, and the narrative voice is just right. It's the sort of book I would have appreciated as a child, and would very much enjoy reading aloud to a youngster now.
January 23, 2014
Really cute story of a rescued otter and his "otter keeper". Apparently this is the first book about this otter but not the first story as the author has a blog in the U.K. that he tells otter tales on. Great for kids and their adults, this will be a popular re-read in your family,especially if you own a rescued animal.
November 26, 2018
I Am Otter tells the tale of an otter who lives with an otter keeper and is best friends with a stuffed teddy bear. Otter and Teddy try to keep the Otter Keeper home, but when he goes to work, Otter and Teddy have fun at home alone. The story tells of how they play restaurant and get mad at each other, only to remember that they are best friends. This is a fun quick read.
December 13, 2014
How darling! I bought this as a gift, but I suspect I will need to have a copy of my very own.
Otter is so well drawn that I want to cuddle him. I love the soft, bright colors that pulled me in to the illustrations. Welcome home, Otter!
Otter is so well drawn that I want to cuddle him. I love the soft, bright colors that pulled me in to the illustrations. Welcome home, Otter!
March 27, 2020
This book is written from an otter's perspective. He's living with a human and decides to start a toast business. When things don't go well, he blames his friend. This book can teach kids what it looks like to be a good friend.
Lexile: 580L
GR: L
Trait: Voice
Lexile: 580L
GR: L
Trait: Voice
May 21, 2014
This book is adorable and the pictures are both charming and funny! We need more Otter books pronto!
January 3, 2015
New favourite children's book. I teared up out of sheer cuteness!
July 20, 2015
This is definitely going into my story time line-up!
October 5, 2016
One of the cutest books I've ever read!
October 10, 2018
Otter is my new favourite picture book character. I love how creative and mischievous she is and how wonderfully the illustrations add to the story.
October 16, 2018
Really love this series. Otter is really so much like a small child. Love their antics and sweet interactions and thought processes.
October 26, 2018
Special, funny and cute. Biggest Otter-Fan!
November 9, 2018
I find it odd that he calls his owner "otter keeper" but he lives in a house, not a zoo
November 15, 2018
This book was adorable.
January 13, 2019
Love, love, love!
Charming illustrations and the best "punch line" ending.
Charming illustrations and the best "punch line" ending.
February 26, 2019
A man's pet otter wreaks havoc with his toys while trying to start up a toast restaurant. Yep.
Illustrations are cute though.
Illustrations are cute though.
March 20, 2019
An otter spends his day with his stuffed teddy playing restaurant and exploring his emotions about his stuffed friends actions. Preschool and up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews