Josh The Baby Otter

by Blake Collingsworth, Ashley Spitsnogle (Illustrator)

A tale promoting water safety for children. This is the story of a newly born otter named Josh and how he learns to float and swim with the help of some new friends. Josh's mother Clare explains why it is so important for children to stay away from water unless they are with an adult. Included in the book is a link for a free app which has an entertaining story narrative and a original song entitled "Learn to Float". Children love to listen while turning the pages over and over again. A valuable, fun and educational book for young children.

Genres: Childrens

28 pages, Perfect Paperback

Published May 15, 2009

Reviews

[Crystal Marcos]

This is a fantastic book about water saftey. Did you know that drowning was the #1 cause of death in children ages 1-4? I didn't. The book has beautiful illustrations of otters and nature to help explain water safety to children. Josh is the baby otter who is learning the importance of floating and water safety in general. It stresses the importance that water is fun but be sure to always have an adult around while you are near it. You get a bonus cd with the book that consists of an audio version, water safety song, pledge, and public service announcement. My baby girl danced to the water safety song and smiled the whole time. Safety checklist at the back of the book as well. I got little coloring books and safety pledge stickers all for $10, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I was just receiving the book. There is a lot of love showing through in this book. The author himself lost his son, Joshua, to drowning after believing he had done everything possible to avoid that situation. He wrote this book to aid in that not happening to anyone elses child, my child. I also feel great about helping the cause by purchasing this book. I am going back to buy more for my neice and nephew who are a few months younger than my baby. I got mine at http://joshuamemorial.org where you can read the book and other activites for you and your children.

[Faloni ©]

Do you like to go to the beach and swim in the ocean? The beach is one of my favorite places.

[Suzi]

My husband's Rotary donates these books to children and Vic (husband) anted to see a copy. I read it, too. I don't think it does as good a job teaching how to float as my mother did. Maybe that should be the point. An adult not a book, especially since this book can only be read by an adult. My mother must have learned in a creek and we swam in lakes and creeks, like otters. Now we all have pools and children aren't trained or supervised. Hence this book.

[Nicole]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It touches my heart that one of the author's had a son who passed away from issues due to drowning. I do not think people really realize but children can fall and drown in a small amount of water, it just takes a handful of seconds. Very cute book to start the discussion.

[Terri Dreismeier]

Craig and I had the opportunity to meet Blake and Kathy Collingsworth and learn about the drowning of their son Joshua. This beautiful couple turned their personal tragedy into a passion and mission and founded the Joshua Memorial Children’s Charities. Every parent and child should read this book and learn how to float and swim.

[KIMBERLEY SHERMAN]

Cute illustrations; nice book. Not what I was expecting. I thought there’d be a bit more on how to swim but a pleasant read. Very easy for beginning readers(with help on some words); excellent extra otter info.

[Adrian]

Book about water safety.

[Rayjan Koehler]

Very important book for children. This book is about water safety- which drowning is sadly the #1 cause of death in 1-4 year olds.