Swim the Silver Sea, Joshie Otter [Mass Market Paperback]

Nancy Carlstrom (Author), Ken Kuroi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1997 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Neither the walrus calves nor the seal pups will play with Joshie Otter, so he swims out farther and farther into the ocean, until he hears the voice of his mother telling him to come back home.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-- The oft-told scenario of a child who wanders away from its mother is given a fresh look because of its Aleutian Island setting. In his search for a playmate, Joshie Otter swims past some seal pups, walrus calves, puffins, kittiwakes, and murres before he hears the comforting sounds of his mother singing him home. "He followed that song/over waves in the night/ on the billowy deep/ through the silver moonlight." Soft, lovely blue and gray colored-pencil illustrations with occasional splashes of purple and green cover the double-page spreads. The tune takes the form of a lullaby as it appears on a spread of yellow moonlight shining down on the blue ocean as well as on the last page with the accompanying music. An excellent addition to picture-book collections that's sure to be read over and over by parents looking for that perfect soothing bedtime story. --Mary Rinato Berman, New York Public Library
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Mama Otter won't play, so Joshie sets out on his own; but the other arctic animals are too drowsy to play (like the seal pups) or too busy (like the puffins). When night falls, Joshie hears his mother's song calling him home; next day, she's glad to play. Mama's reason for her day off--which seems more human than otter-like--goes unexplained; still, Joshie's independent foray is nicely shaped, with second glimpses of the same animals (now sleeping) as he swims home, while White's lilting cadence is just right for this lyrical bedtime story. Kuroi (who's illustrated 100 titles in Japan) uses colored pencils for art with almost an airbrush effect; his rounded, pillow-soft forms are organized into pleasing decorative spreads. The animals--especially the round-faced otters--have a slightly cartoonish cast, but that's a small defect in an attractive offering. Carlstrom includes a melodious tune for her three-stanza song. (Picture book. 2-6) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (May 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698114477
• ISBN-13: 978-0698114470
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,131,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy White Carlstrom started writing when she was seven years old and has been writing ever since. She says, "I write when I am happy and when I am sad, and especially when I celebrate God's creation. When you read This Is the Day, I hope it will cause you to look at your world and be surprised by wonder every day of the week."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful adventure for momma and baby., August 11, 2005

By 

waldorf_curric - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Swim the Silver Sea (Hardcover)

This gorgeous book is highly recommended. The illustrations are breath-taking and the tale is sweet and tender. Joshie Otter ventures off by himself looking to play but finding no one among the various animals of the Aleutian Islands who is interested. Suddenly he realizes that he has swum too far from home and doesn't know how to get back. Over the waves he hears his mother's voice singing to him and, guided by her song, he finds his way home. The words and music for the song are included at the end of the book. This is a sweet bedtime book for any baby and would be an especially wonderful gift for a little boy named Josh.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story, August 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Swim the Silver Sea, Joshie Otter (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a beautifully written story, complete with it's own song and music, about a little otter who strays from his mother, and how she calls him home with song. A soothing, delightful bedtime story.