Review of Odder by Katherine Applegate

Odder by Katherine Applegate
Illustrated by Charles Santoso

Squiggles and Splash by Applegate
Pg. 11

Odder is a novel in verse by Katherine Apple Gate which I picked up because well I love otters. I have visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium where the little otter in this story is rescued and rehabilitated at.  

This children’s book is written from the perspective of a little otter who is orphaned in a storm and rescued by the team at the Aquarium, which the otters call “Highwater.” Each of the poems presents a different aspect of Odder’s life and why there are so few of them and why we need to help them. 

I found the book an easy read and can see why children enjoy it. Certainly, recommend the book for all those who love otters and want a fun quick read! 

The Story (spoilers): 

Illustration by Charles Santoso
pg. 121

Odder is born in the wild of Monterey Bay where she is learning all about being an otter and her mom is teaching her what to fear sharks, humans, and the unknown. Until one day a mom goes hunting for food and Odder is left tied in kelp (a real thing that mamma otters do) to keep her safe and secure, but a big storm comes
and separates Odder. Odder ends up washed ashore and the team at the Aquarium raises her back to health until one day she is released back to the wild.  

However, after being taken back to the wild she is still curious about humans and often gets too close, repeatedly needing to be relocated. She meets friend otters in poems and all is well...until one day she ventures too far with a friend and a shark attacks. Landing her back at Highwater! 

This is sadly her last stay at Highwater as she is determined to be un-releasable because of her injuries but then gets to join a new program for raising baby otters. 

The Review: 

This book is written in verse with a look at both the present and past mixed. While Odder is currently telling the story from her perspective of being at Highwater after her capture it does start out when she was a baby. Each section tells a different aspect of her story. Applegate draws the reader in and even though I typically do not enjoy novels in verse this book reads easily and is cohesive. It does not feel like a set of disjointed poems but a single working unit.  

Overall, the work is well put together and an enjoyable piece of children’s literature for any collection. Especially for those who love otters and/or are familiar with Monterey Bay. 

Resource 

Applegate, K. Odder. (2022). Feiwel and Friends. New York.