HEY OTTER! HEY BEAVER!

Can two friends find a way to work and play?

Otter and Beaver are furry, young creatures who are ready to spend some time together in the local stream. For Otter, the stream is full of sticks, branches, and twigs to be used as toys, but for Beaver, the stream is overflowing with building materials for a new dam. Swirling, playful spreads show the two swimming about: fun-loving Otter frolicking and serious Beaver constructing his structure. At last, Beaver, having collected all of the pieces of wood that Otter was playing with, builds a dam. But now there is nothing left for Otter to play with! Surely Otter can remove just one stick for a toy…? “BOOM! CRASH! SWOOOOOSH!” What is a goodhearted, hardworking beaver to do? Start again, of course! Young listeners will find the situation familiar—they’ll only need to substitute blocks or LEGO for wood—and see ways that the animals begin to consider point of view, compromise, get along, and enjoy each other’s company in spite of and because of their differences. With illustrations that ripple with warmth, this simple tale brings together themes of friendship, perspective, and empathy. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Proof positive that friends can get along, no matter how seemingly disparate.