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The Secret Life of the Sea Otter

Part of The Secret Life

Author Laurence Pringle
Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky
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Hardcover
$17.99 US
Astra Publishing House | Astra Young Readers
9.25"W x 9.25"H x 0.33"D   | 12 oz | 40 per carton
On sale May 31, 2022 | 32 Pages | 9781635923254
Age 6-9 years | Grades 1-4
Reading Level: Lexile 670L | Fountas & Pinnell Q
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Follow a year in the life of an adorable sea otter as she creatively hunts for food, deftly avoids danger from a great white shark, and gives birth to a pup.

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.
"Laurence Pringle’s nimble text and Kate Garchinsky’s soft-edged paintings work together here to create an endearing and illuminating account of a year in the life of a fictional female otter named Lutris...This is children’s nonfiction at its best: as engaging as a story and as informative as an encyclopedia." —The Wall Street Journal

★ "With an economy of well-chosen text that reveals the wonders of the saltwater habitat, master writer ­Pringle introduces Lutris, named for her scientific name. With Garchinsky’s artistic skill, they offer an appealing look into more than just her diet, physical features, motherhood, and predators. It is the why and how of her life that is not to be missed...This is a wonderful, unforgettable sea adventure...a juvenile nonfiction treasure; ­highly recommended to all libraries who serve children." —School Library Journal, starred review

"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
Laurence Pringle has written more than one hundred books for children and teenagers, many of them award-winning science titles. Internationally, his books have sold more than three million copies. He and his family live in West Nyack, New York. Visit laurencepringle.com. View titles by Laurence Pringle
Kate Garchinsky illustrates children's books and educational media in her studio in the woodlands west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kate is a fellowship recipient of the Don and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment for nature artists at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Prior to creating children's books, Kate designed toys, apps, birdbaths, and trail maps. She lives with her husband Brian, Julia and Spencer the cats, and her one-eyed beagle, Maggie May. Get to know her more at kategarchinsky.com. View titles by Kate Garchinsky

About

Follow a year in the life of an adorable sea otter as she creatively hunts for food, deftly avoids danger from a great white shark, and gives birth to a pup.

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.

Praise

"Laurence Pringle’s nimble text and Kate Garchinsky’s soft-edged paintings work together here to create an endearing and illuminating account of a year in the life of a fictional female otter named Lutris...This is children’s nonfiction at its best: as engaging as a story and as informative as an encyclopedia." —The Wall Street Journal

★ "With an economy of well-chosen text that reveals the wonders of the saltwater habitat, master writer ­Pringle introduces Lutris, named for her scientific name. With Garchinsky’s artistic skill, they offer an appealing look into more than just her diet, physical features, motherhood, and predators. It is the why and how of her life that is not to be missed...This is a wonderful, unforgettable sea adventure...a juvenile nonfiction treasure; ­highly recommended to all libraries who serve children." —School Library Journal, starred review

"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

Author

Laurence Pringle has written more than one hundred books for children and teenagers, many of them award-winning science titles. Internationally, his books have sold more than three million copies. He and his family live in West Nyack, New York. Visit laurencepringle.com. View titles by Laurence Pringle
Kate Garchinsky illustrates children's books and educational media in her studio in the woodlands west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kate is a fellowship recipient of the Don and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment for nature artists at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Prior to creating children's books, Kate designed toys, apps, birdbaths, and trail maps. She lives with her husband Brian, Julia and Spencer the cats, and her one-eyed beagle, Maggie May. Get to know her more at kategarchinsky.com. View titles by Kate Garchinsky

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