Odder: An Otter's Story

by Katherine Applegate, Charles Santoso (illustrator)

Adapted from Katherine Applegate's novel ODDER, a New York Times bestseller for over a year, this picture book follows Odder's rescue and subsequent new role as a mentor to other rescued otter pups.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Stem, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.

Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).

She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).

Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).

With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)

Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.

Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.

Reviews

[Jenntleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otter by Katherine Applegate

I read this book for a prompt, and my first reaction was that it felt like a children's book adults would love. It’s just so cute and sweet, with a gentle and heartwarming tone. However, if that isn’t your vibe, it’s also an engaging animal rescue story told from the perspective of a young sea otter.

Based on real-life otter rescues, the book provides an endearing yet informative look into the rehabilitation process. The story follows Otter, a pup who faces challenges in the wild before being rescued and cared for by dedicated humans. The writing is simple yet evocative, making it an easy but emotionally rich read. If you fall in love with the characters, there’s plenty more to explore—real otter rescue programs and the actual otters that inspired the book.

Overall, Otter is a touching read that blends fiction with real-world conservation efforts, perfect for animal lovers or anyone looking for a short but meaningful story.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The picture book version of Odder. The book is so sweet and just as heart breaking as the novel. And the illustrations are so cute!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Teaching and loving are different words for the same thing.”
@kaaauthor has me crying tonight lol Beautiful story, gorgeous illustrations @charlessantoso

[Kelsey Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love sea otters & will read anything & everything about them 💞

[Aneesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess we're going back to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

[Havelah McLat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review is coming soon

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welp, I'm crying at work.

[Laneyyy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book but it was not all that I was expecting it wasn’t bad.I did really want to be a larger book though.i was a little disappointed but it was a good concept and easy to follow along with!

[rheanna]

beautiful. loved it. cried too much over a fictional otter in a children's book. odder, you will always be famous.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an adorable story about the rehab process for otters

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Applegate’s full-length novel in verse of the same name, this lyrical picture book is warm, wonderful and filled with otter illustrations that are full of life, movement and otter-joy.

Odder, so named because she was even more active and playful than the others and just seemed different, is separated from her mother and their raft of wild otter then washed ashore by a storm. Rescued by humans, she regains her strength and is coached in how to catch food, use a rock as a tool and all the other survival behaviors she needs to be released back into the ocean. Ocean romping, food gathering and venturing outside of the safer areas for her new family group commences and eventually leads Odder into the path of a great white shark and back to the shore but this time with the kind of injury that means she will never be returned to the ocean. Once rehabilitated, Odder finds new purpose in the role of nurturer and teacher of young otter pups at the rescue facility.

Based on two otter cared for at California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium, Applegate tells a mostly true-ish story that will warm the hearts of readers and listeners from preschool age to older elementary school. Older readers will enjoy reading the longer novel and comparing the two right down to the illustrations in both so masterfully done by Charles Santoso. Back matter elaborates on the two real life otter forming the bones of Applegate’s story as well as the rehabilitation focus of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Highly recommended for age 3 to grade 5.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Odder: An Otter's Story" is a picture book adaptation of a novel in verse, written by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Charles Santoso. I read the chapter book just a few weeks ago, and subsequently purchased this picture book version for our library.

Odder's story is heartfelt and inspiring, and the varying illustrations (different-sized panels/insets) and use of color make this experience unique from its lengthier predecessor. Each book is effective in its own way, and I could see using both resources for a "One School, One Book" initiative.

Publication Date: 2025
Format: Picture book
Elements: Story told in verse; lengthier than typical picture books
Connection/Topics: Adaptation of novel; otters; animal rescue/rehabilitation

[Professor Cindy Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely adorable picture book version of the original book. This one might just inspire future conservationists to want to not only protect our oceans but also to work with marine life. Odder is a sea otter who is found to be injured and brought back to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to recover. She isn't able to be released back into the ocean due to her injuries, but she finds purpose in becoming a surrogate mother to an otter pup (and future pups) who will learn how to "otter" so it can eventually be released into the ocean. After Odder sees the pup freed and released into the ocean, she is sad. "Though her hear hurts, she knows that teaching and loving are different words for the same thing." ❤️ Young readers will love this one!

[Robin Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book abbreviated version of the previously published Odder book.

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful ❤️!!! Colorful, detailed and adorable.

Story about how Odder the otter was rescued, rehabilitated, released then wound up back at the rehab facility after getting attacked by a shark. Then she was determined to be unreleasable. Odder than became a surrogate mom to other rescued pups.

This story is based on the real stories of 2 otters treated at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars--Such a sweet story! The storyline is both engaging and informative, and the illustrations are adorable. A little wordy for a picture book, so this one might be a better match with slightly older kids who have the patience to listen to a longer story, or are able to read on their own.

It's always wonderful to see books that celebrate the ways that people can help animals and nature, rather than just dwelling on the negatives.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know there's a narrative non-fiction book about Ivan from The One and Only Ivan, but I'm not sure Odder needed a picture book version. It's not so closely based on a real animal, and there isn't a movie adaptation coming out either. It's cute, and I appreciate it having the same illustrator as the novel in verse. The main use I could see is for a community read, where older kids read Odder, and younger kids read this one. It's still cute and sad, but it does feel like a cash grab.

[Milton Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture book edition of Katherine Applegate’s Odder, and it’s absolutely charming. The illustrations are adorable and perfectly complement the heartwarming story of rescued otter pups. A sweet and engaging read for young animal lovers!

Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!

Jayme A. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Jenn O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

If otters are one of your favorite animals, you are going to enjoy the story of Odder. Beautiful, gorgeous illustrations! The story is sweet, I think I would recommend it for a bit older child who understands what otters could face in the wild. This would be a good book to read in connection with a visit to the aquarium or zoo.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the real-life story of two otters, this picture book was about an otter who lost its mother and was raised for a little while in an aquarium before being released into the wild but ending back there after a shark attack where she learned to be a model otter for other otters in rehab, teaching them especially how to play.

Sweet and informative.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine Applegate has created a remarkable adaptation of her verse novel based on the real program that partners orphaned baby sea otters with surrogate otter mothers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California and Charles Santoso has brought the story to life in his incredible artwork.

This is going to be a favorite at school!

[Sally Kruger]

This is a picture book version of Katherine Applegate's novel in verse by the same name. It is beautifully illustrated by Charles Santoso. Perfect for younger children who also want to learn the story of Odder.

I recently read it to some 2nd graders who were mesmerized by Odder.

[Vicky Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read ODDER by Ms. Applegate and then I saw this children's book with this title; so I decided to check it out. This is a beautiful illustrated book for young children with the same ODDER story. the story touched my heart again.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and engaging, this story will capture hearts and may create budding zoologists or marine researchers! Illustrations by Charles Santoso are warm and allow the otters in the story to feel so very real.

I have already ordered this one for both of my elementary school library collections.

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely picture book for younger audiences. References Monterey Bay Aquarium links to learn more about otters and other aquatic animals. For older kids read Odder the novel written in verse. I love to read anything by Applegate.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was great! I still prefer the longer, novel version but it was super fun to be able to see the cute accompanying illustrations. Love that the back matter encourages readers to check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium's website to watch the otter cam.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book version of Katherine Applegate's glorious Odder. The same free verse narration is accessible to young readers. The illustrations by Charles Santoso are stunning. This is a must add to your collection.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean - sea otters - a based-on reality story - what more could you want? I would definitely read this aloud with a whole ocean/underwater creature thematic focus tied into environmental stewardship. Adorable illustrations for one of my favorite sea creatures!

[Jenni E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg the cutest!! I wasn’t sure if this would feel really long, but it was just right. His pictures are just incredible. The story is super simplified version of the chapter book. Adorable!! And I love how they include the real info on the otters at the end.

[Elly Sloman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocked to learn this was NOT about Rosa and Selka, but actually Joy and Selka! Rosa and Joy had similar situations, but Rosa actually raised Selka! Fun fact!

(accidentally put the review on the wrong version. OOPS!)

[A H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version which I highly recommend. Very well done:)

Sweet book about a little otter and the adventures she goes through both in the wild and captivity.

It does get a little “man bad” but the “man good” parts make up for it, in my opinion.

There are some very sad parts, but has a happy ending:)