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Sunday, January 13, 2019

Narwhal's Otter Friend, by Ben Clanton. Tundra, Penguin Random House, 2019. $16.99 ages 3 and up

"WOW!
It sure would be
EXTRAORDINARY
to be an explorer!
Especially with a friend!
I have an idea!
Let's go on an adventure
together!
Really?! Does this mean 
we're friends? 
Pretty much!

There is a lot of excitement; it's easy to tell! In this fourth book in the A Narwhal and Jelly Book series, Narwhal and Jelly are out for a swim when they meet Otty. Otty introduces herself as an explorer, and follower of the great Captain Sally Goodhart.

Not only is Captain Goodhart an explorer-adventurer, she is pretty quick with the mottoes:

"Seas the day!"
"Go with the flow!"
and "Ahoy, Adventure!"

It takes no time at all for Narwhal to decide that adventuring together would be fantastic. Jelly is a tad doubtful. Waffles are sure to provide the energy they need to get started. Thus, chapter 1 comes to an end. As he has done in previous books, Ben Clanton provides specific information about otters, while Jelly butts in to add important further info about ... well, jellyfish. Is Jelly jealous?

Yes, and angry, and off to find new friends. Not much success in that endeavor, unless you count the rock and the imaginative antics the two share.as sidekicks. When all seems lost in the friendship department, Narwhal and Otter return with an idea. It is an awesome plan, with a missing part.

This is a great series for little ones, and beginning readers with short chapters and familiar characters. Full of action, dialogue, and humor, the series has already garnered many fans. The graphic form allows for shared reading, plenty of expression, and an opportunity for discussion.

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