Living off the coast of California in the Northern Pacific Ocean, Lutris the sea otter shares her life in a giant kelp forest habitat with many other otters and animals. Lutris is resourceful and relies on her keen sense of sight and smell to find food and survive. When her pup is born, Lutris lovingly tends to and teaches her daughter until she is ready to head out into the world on her own.
Filled with important facts and gorgeous illustrations, readers will be fascinated by the story of these remarkable mammals. This latest title in the Secret Life series has been vetted by a sea otter expert and includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources.
Kate Garchinsky was born and raised just upstream of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, and received her BFA in illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, with a focus in nature and children's literature. She is the illustrator of several of The Secret Life books by Laurence Pringle.
Illustrator site: penguinart.com
First #BookAward given by #KidLit #MgLit #YaLit bloggers. Recognizing books w/ kid-appeal & literary merit since 2006. 501(c)(3) https://t.co/DjRVII9BE2
"Laurence Pringle and @KateSnowbird reate a magical, informative, alluring "year-in-the-life" portrait of sea otters In THE SECRET LIFE OF THE SEA OTTER." @SandyBrehl https://t.co/31fBv1drsp | #CYBILS2022 #Nonfiction nominee https://t.co/E3kuzDqc5X
"In this latest installment of the Secret Life series, Pringle and Garchinsky follow the familiar, successful pattern of their previous books, looking closely at an individual animal to learn about the habits and habitat of the species in general. Here, a sea otter named Lutris (after her scientific name) rests, feeds, escapes a predatory shark, bears and raises a pup, and survives a storm...The rich, descriptive language would be a pleasure to read aloud...An informative and engaging introduction to an animal known as the old man of the sea." --Kirkus Reviews
"This picture-book introduction to the species follows Lutris, a fictional sea otter, as she swims through kelp forests, hunts for shellfish, and teaches her new pup how to survive. Conversational, straightforward text describes how Lutris's natural adaptations allow her to thrive in her habitat. Potentially unfamiliar terms are italicized and defined in an appended glossary. Digital illustrations skillfully capture stormy skies, deep ocean waters, and otters' playful antics. 'More About Sea Otters' provides additional information on this endangered species. A reading list is included at book's end."--The Horn Book