The Little Book of Otter Philosophy

by Jennifer McCartney

Otters are some of the most delightful animals on the planet. These long, lean, furry creatures embody pure joy in so many ways – they live for napping, playing, making friends and eating, and forget about the rest. Pretty inspiring, right? In a world that can often seem divided, lonely, and just plain cruel, the otter reminds us of what’s important in life. What other
• Holds hands with their friends whilst napping so they don’t float away?
• Communicates in a flurry of whistles, chirps, chuckles, clicks and coos?
• Builds a waterslide on a daily basis?
• Befriends other species, just because?
• Eats food off their tummy while floating peacefully with their pals? These intelligent, adorable, water-dwelling mammals have a lot to teach us about the way we live. So, kick back, grab a pal, dive in and reconnect with your playful side, just like you otter!

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Animals, Self Help, Adult, Humor

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 8, 2019

About the author

Jennifer McCartney is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the author of numerous books including The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy, the novel Afloat; Cocktails for Drinkers; The Joy of Leaving Your Sh*t All Over the Place; and Poetry from Scratch. Her writing has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and appeared in The Atlantic, Vice Magazine, Teen Vogue, Curbed, Globe and Mail, and Publishers Weekly, among other publications. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, she lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of words to say "Seize the moment."

In all seriousness, though, I did enjoy this, especially the puns, and as seems typical with this type of book, the funniest parts are in the footnotes.

[Lai Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nếu như Triết lý loài lười đề cao việc sống chậm thì Triết lý rái cá lại đề cao chuyện chơi hết mình “vui lên đi vì đời có mấy khi”. Sách chia ra thành 2 phần đơn giản và ngắn gọn: giải thích về triết lý rái cá và hướng dẫn cách sống như rái cá. Trong từng phần có thêm các chương nhỏ nhưng đều được phân chia rất logic và cụ thể. Tóm lại em này là một cuốn sách dựa trên những đặc tính của rái cá để rút ra một lối sống rất... chơi! Hãy tận hưởng cuộc sống, tận hưởng giây phút hiện tại và YOLO đi nào ^^
Trong này cũng nhắc nhiều đến những áp lực mà con người ngày nay đang đối diện, như ám ảnh với công việc và năng suất, cả việc chạy theo những “tiêu chuẩn” để luôn là phiên bản tốt nhất... có cần thiết không nếu đạt được tất cả mà không có những trải nghiệm vui vẻ nhỉ?

[Roberta Decenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than just a cute coffee table book with quizzes, and pictures, this is book to help reconnect with life as it otter. 🦦 The Otter Philosophy encourages remembering to add a little play in our lives and reminds us not to take life, and the opinions of others, so seriously. Overall, a great little self help book coming on the heals of Jennifer McCartney’s first book in the series called “The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy” which was also a great book reminding us to take things a little slower. 🦥 I can’t wait to read her next book on Alpaca Philosophy when it comes out later this year!

[Nea Britto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the cutest reads! As expected from Jennifer McCartney, this was full of humour and an absolutely joy.

It was fun reading facts about otters while also learning how to live like you otter. Would recommend this if you want a light, fun non-fiction to uplift your mood. This wasn’t perfect by any means but it felt perfect for me. And it was the perfect weekend read. I plan to keep rereading this and the others from the series. In fact, all books by Jennifer McCartney!

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un’amica mi ha regalato questo libro, consapevole della mia passione per questo divertente e tenero animale che è la lontra. Devo dire che questo libro è veramente una lettura rilassante, divertente e soprattutto piena di ottimismo.
L’autrice mi ha davvero stupito in positivo, per la sua ironia: sembrava di essere al bar a chiacchierare con un’amica!
Insomma, credo sia il giusto e leggero intermezzo tra i soliti romanzi che si leggono ogni giorno.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute & otterly enjoyable.

[Shreya Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the feel-good book I have read in a long time.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Otters prefer snuggles to handshakes.”

And so do I!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable little reminder to choose the fun and joy in life. Choose to play and enjoy life with the time we are given. The otter facts are fun also, although occasionally disturbing...

[Arifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So in short, resilience is about looking at our problems as specific, external and impermanent."
Just thought you otter know. :)

[Lanmreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Em nó là một cuốn phong cách sống cute không kém gì "Chậm mà chill". Nội dung nhiều thứ đáng suy ngẫm, các thông tin tác giả cung cấp vừa thú zị vừa bổ ích, có cái mô tả trạng thái cú đêm chuẩn mình zllll. Quan trọng là em nó vừa bé vừa ngắn vừa có hình minh hoạ nên giữa cơn reading slump này mình vẫn nghiền ngẫm xong không bị chán á (dù không nhanh lắm).

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book with things we probably already know, but could do with a reminder of.

- Live in the moment
- Allow yourself to have fun
- Have a good support system

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this little book up at Target during a 3-for-2 deal. And it's a must read at this time in our lives. It was fun and sweet and lighthearted and comforting! Very enjoyable! Who doesn't love otters?! I learned some new things about otters and new ways to bring more play into my life. Sweet book!

[Alex Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, easy and quick self help book on what we can learn from how Otters live, the scientific benefits of play & keeping things light with silly quizzes, fun cartoons and facts sprinkled in for good measure. My only critique is that as it is so short, every point made is rather brief and could benefit from being further padded out. Nonetheless, it gives a nice j tho to living life how you otter, with fun!

[Francie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. What I loved most about this book is that I love otters and my son bought me this book. Its short, fun, even laugh out loud at moments, but also has some sweet little gems of wisdom in it about taking more time to play, and less time to stress, in our lives. I enjoyed that the author exhibited otter playfulness in the way she wrote this book -- in particular the asterisked notes were probably my favorite parts.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denne bog er skrevet med odderen som hovedperson. Et legesygt og nysgerrigt dyr, som har et afslappet forhold til livet og dermed ikke er stresset. Hvem kunne ikke godt bruge lidt mindre stress i hverdagen?
Bogen er hyggelig og en utrolig sjov læseoplevelse.
Jeg har tidligere læst de to andre bøger i serien.
Utroligt nok har alle tre bøger passer perfekt ind i hvad der foregik i mit liv og det har faktisk hjulpet mig ret meget. Jeg bøvler pt med dårlige arbejdsforhold, som ikke kun gør min dagligdag på jobbet utryg og uoverskuelig, men også stresser min hverdag og mine fridage. Denne bog viste sig at passe perfekt ind lige nu, og gav mig lidt motivation og et par gode ord med på vejen, som gjorde at mit humør blev løftet og jeg fandt lidt mere ro i mine beslutninger. Jeg er generelt ikke ret meget til selvhjælpsbøger, men disse er bare skrevet med så meget humor, indeholder en hel masse underholdende facts og er slet ikke så højtidelige og seriøse, som den type bøger ellers plejer at være. Det er befriende og underholdende at læse, og man (eller jeg) får en masse gode råd med på vejen.
Derudover indeholder bogen alle de sjove tilføjelser, der gør bogen lidt mere interessant at læse. Der er blandt andet quizzer, lister og andet godt man kan hygge sig med.
Og helt ærligt, så skulle alle bøger indeholde drinks opskrifter og læseforslag! Det er da det bedste!

Jeg er endnu engang imponeret over hvor meget brugbart en sådan bog kan indeholde, når den samtidig laver sjov med den selvhøjtidelige genre, og er baseret på et dyrs livsstil. Bøgerne er så unikke, og simpelthen bare fantastiske!
Jeg har haft en dejlig eftermiddag med bogen, og er utrolig taknemlig over de ting den har kunne give mig med på vejen.
Derud over ved jeg nu en masse mærkelige ting om odderen, og det er jo også altid sjovt!
Bøgerne er små og korte, og kan læses på et par timer (inklusiv pause til at gå ud og lave drinks!) de egner sig til alle, om man er læser eller ej. Og så er de simpelthen så fine at have stående på reolen. Stor anbefaling herfra.

[Kaylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always loved otters, ever since I first saw them at London Zoo when I was 8 or 9. They're just so playful and engaging to watch, especially in big groups. The Little Book of Otter Philosophy was a birthday gift from work, which has been sitting on my shelf waiting for me to get around to it for far too long. Though I sometimes struggle with non-fiction, I had a feeling this would be quick and easy to read. What I couldn't have predicted was how very, very appropriate it would be.

The week I started reading about how to 'live life like you otter', I was working into the small hours most nights, trying to get my magazines schedules for 2022 sorted while also facing narrowed print deadlines. Never have I more needed the advice to play more, work less. If only it were that easy!

I particularly appreciated that Jennifer McCartney got right into 'a practical guide' — I so often find self-help books or articles to be so vague that I just get frustrated because I have no idea how to implement that advice. As a long-term choir member, I found the section on singing and music to be particularly affirming. As a long-term scheduler, however, being told to organise and prepare less was not quite so welcome, though I can see it has merit.

Overall, I just really enjoyed reading The Little Book of Otter Philosophy. It was nothing ground-breaking, and I certainly didn't manage to implement the guidance to cut down on the amount of work hours I was putting in, but I think parts of it will stick with me, nonetheless. I'd like to reread when my work life isn't quite so hectic, so that I actually stand some chance of putting it into practice.

[Becs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book manages to strike a really obscure, but wonderful, balance between being something of a self-help book and a non-fiction fact file for otters. Essentially, the author, I think, hopes to spread a little joy with genuinely funny notes and the intention to use otters as a prime example of how to live a better life. By that I don't mean by encouraging readers to buy nice things for themselves, be successful in the careers or be exceptional parents. Sure, those things matter and they ultimately make the world go around. But, we all meet our end one way or another and it seems a real shame to spend that life striving for perfection and stressing about what's coming in the future when perhaps what we should be doing is living in the present. A degree of planning is required, for sure, but enjoying the life you live, however long or short, is what really counts.

I'm not sure I have ever taken a breath to actually think about this sort of thing. Self help books or motivational texts are not really my thing. But otters most definitely are. Fun facts about otters with cute illustrations motivated me to want to read this book, but I certainly didn't expect to come away from it with any meaningful thoughts. On the contrary, I think Jennifer McCartney might be on to something: perhaps there is quite a lot to be learned from these playful creatures, if only you take the time to stop and look at it.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book series is so so adorable. I love the illustrations and i often catch myself smiling. It gets kind of repetetive though. I've read both the The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy and The Little Book of Alpaca Philosophy: A calmer, wiser, fuzzier way of life and my favorite was without a doubt the alpaca one. Might just be that it was the one i read first so it was more original and more new to me but I also think i just relate more to the alpaca and it just felt more me than the other two. Overall this was really cute and i would definetly recommend it but i wouldn't read it again I think.

[Matchakeikeu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light. easy read. fun. insightful. that might be it! a wonderful short read.

it’s an adorable reminder to live a life a little bit slower so we can enjoy every moment. it’s an adorable reminder to live a life a little less busy and make time for ourselves to just chill and play. it’s a little reminder that we can always choose joy. it’s a little reminder to allow yourself to have fun!

i realized that i’ve been acting sooo hard on myself that sometimes—i didn’t thoroughly let myself have fun. i blame myself for doing nothing. i blame myself for playing instead of doing something productive even when i know—-i don’t have to be productive all the time. be a little less busy and live like otter might be wonderful and healthier for the mind! 🤍

officially a fan of otter!

[Abby Reichstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. It gives you some motivational insights. It also lets you know you’re not a shitty person if sometimes you don’t want to do anything. It’s great how the otter life was compared to human life and shows you where you should maybe try and be more otter like. It’s nice to have a fun reminder to not get too old for anything. It has studies and facts and more all in this little book. Its cute and the pictures are adorable. I enjoyed reading it here and there on my free time as I didn’t see it as a book I NEEDED to finish that second. It was a nice book that with some free time and relaxation you read it and just enjoy it and you don’t have to think much.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book more starts but I can’t. It’s a cute and cozy book with the most adorable otterillustrations and otterquizzes. The problem is the placement of the illustrations. Every illustration takes up a whole page and regularly infringe the text in a very unfortunate way. My reading expecience was considerably worsen and I ended up getting quite annoyed. At every illustration there’s a little textpiece and it’s more reading that, that takes the fokus away from the main text.

The rest of the review can be found on my blog bogbien.wordpress.com - I hope you'll like it.

[Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift because otters are my favorite animals. It took me so long to finish it because it became "the bathroom book". The one you flip through when you're stuck for awhile and you forgot your phone or already scrolled through everything.

This was an otterly cute book with the message "Life is very short, so enjoy it like you otter." The book basically gives a few quick facts about otters and their pastimes and then relates it to humans and how we can make our own lives more enjoyable. Fun read for a bathroom book.

[Ash.O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy so much and was elated to find out it was part of a 3-book series. I loved this installment just as much!

You'll get plenty of otter facts, puns, and humor. But, you'll also get plenty of useful information and important life lessons, too. I can't wait to read The Little Book of Alpaca Philosophy next!

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely blessed experience.
This was so cute and so pure that I don't think I'll ever recover from that. It was sweet, and the otter illustrations were more than adorable, yet at the same time this book holds lots of actual information about otters and the way they live, as well as quotes and even life advice.
I feel weirdly motivated to go skinny dipping now, and I'd recommend this book to everyone who a) loves otter and/or b) loves the film "dead poets society". I know it's strange connection, but it makes sense as it boild down to the very same thought concept: Carpe Diem.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people say “I love otters” and continue on living their day and forget about their love of otters. That has never been a problem for me. I love otters to a abnormally higher level than most people. I thought this was just simply adorable. I really love the section about the “rock” and trying to bring your “rock” everywhere you go. I am definitely a planner and I can see how it affects my life and stress levels. I am going to otterly enjoy my life and let go of the over planning.

[Purva Baradia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me smiling through the whole time! :)
This could be a perfect companion for any weekend trips. It is a short book but captures all nuances of living life otter style. It basically tells you what you know.. living in the moment.. emphasizing on the importance of fun, joy, play which is being looked down and considered as unproductive.
It just gives a chance to look life through otter's eyes which makes us realize how simple life is! :)
A pleasant read :)

[Rachel Rinesya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute and fun book! Absolutely love the topics that the author written, and we got to see it from the otters habits perspective.

I read this to fill my "free" time at my office so I don't just scroll and get sleepy hahah

I also browse about otters and most of the types are endangered, so now i'm sad🥲

but anyway i highlighted a lot gonna share it on my booksta👀

gonna read the other books in this series!!

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le lontre sono degli animali tenerissimi, amano giocare, sonnecchiare, stare in compagnia e mangiare.
Tutti ottimi motivi per prendere ispirazione da loro e dare un po’ di brio a un’esistenza spesso troppo grigia e seriosa.

Il libro ideale per un pomeriggio di relax che ci insegna l’antica arte del “lasciar scorrere” prendendo la vita esattamente come viene “un giorno alla volta”.

Buona lettura a chi lo leggerà 📖
Se lo avete letto ditemi che cosa vi ha “Lasciato Dentro” qui nei commenti 📝👇

[Amanda Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cute little book! It was a short and fun read that had some great tips for “living life like you otter!” I loved that there were otter facts, short quizzes, cute illustrations with fun captions and great advice for living a balanced and fulfilling life. It is also a very cute addition to my shelves!