THE BIG LITTLE OTTER
by Lillian Hoban & illustrated by Lillian Hoban
Hoban (Arthur's Camp-Out, 1993, etc.) has created a honey of a board book (as well as its companion, Big Little Lion, ISBN 0- 694-00851-6) that addresses the timeworn complaint of youngsters who believe they aren't being treated like the big kids they wish they were. Otter endures his mother's cleaning licks and her solo hunting for dinner (they munch away on what look like boiled crabs), but what he really wants is to join in the hunt (``I'm not a baby, Mama. I can fish for supper, too''). He demonstrates his diving, flipping, and spinning talents, and says, ``I'm a big little otter!'' The simple text comes with illustrations that captures the otter's friendly, curious face; readers will wish they could reach in and give him a good scratch behind the ear. Hoban is perfectly in tune with the yearnings of preschoolers. (Board book. 1-3)