Beaver and Otter Get Along… Sort Of: A Story of Grit and Patience Between Neighbors
by Sneed B. Collard III | Illustrated by Meg Sodano
A lovely educational tale about how animals live in harmony and benefit their ecosystem through commensalism.
A family of beavers love their pond, which they’ve worked hard to turn from a bedraggled landscape into a thriving wetland. But when a family of otters move in and start reaping the rewards of the beavers’ efforts, the only thing the beavers can do is tolerate their new neighbors as best they can. Despite the fact that the otters can be rather annoying, the two species eventually strike a balance, and in the process benefit the rich new ecosystem around them.
Reviews
“A wonderful read aloud to share in the classroom as an introduction to the river ecosystem or for kid nature enthusiasts at home.” – Youth Services Book Review, 5 Star Review
“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….An appealing, informative picture book.” – Booklist
“Sodano’s mixed media art, dominated by brilliant watercolors, creates a stunning world of wonder.” – School Library Journal
“A visually appealing and scientifically informative introduction to beavers, otters, and their interaction.” – Kirkus Reviews
About the Illustrator: Meg Sodano grew up in Connecticut, exploring the woodlands and seashore, and drawing her favorite animals. She studied natural science illustration at Rhode Island School of Design and Animal Science at the University of Vermont. She has visited many places where beavers live, trekking across dams and listening to kits mewing inside lodges. She still marvels at the beavers’ engineering talents and their ability to create wetland habitats that benefit a whole array of wildlife. Meg’s own lodge is located in Schenectady, NY.
msodanoillustration.com
SPECS:
Publisher: Sourcebooks/Dawn Publications
Publication date: September 7, 2021
ISBN-10: 1728232244
ISBN-13: 978-1728232249
Hardcover Picture Book
$16.99
40 pages • 8.5 x 11 inches
Age range: 4-8 years
Meg Sodano - Illustration & Design 