Beaver and Otter Get Along...Sort of: A Story of Grit and Patience between Neighbors

by Sneed B. Collard III, Meg Sodano (Illustrations)

Beaver was living a peaceful life in a pond and things were looking good...but then Otter showed up! Beaver and Otter couldn't be more different. The beavers find their new neighbors rather annoying. The otters goof around and do whatever they want. Will Beaver and Otter ever learn to get along?

Parents and teachers will find:
*a story of getting along with your neighbors...even when it's really hard!
*educational backmatter with further information about these animals and their habitat
*gorgeous art and a beautiful story packed with scientific accuracy
*a great Earth Day book!

Discover a scientifically accurate portrayal of the natural world around us rich with human emotion and depth. Readers will learn about the biological concept of commensalism specifically the commensal relationship between a beaver and an otter.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Nature, Childrens, Environment

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

Sneed B. Collard III (see also "Sneed B. Collard") is a biologist, world traveler, speaker, and author of almost one hundred books for young people, including the 2024 Orbis Pictus Award winner, Border Crossings (Charlesbridge Publishing). His other recent science titles include Fire Birds; Hopping Ahead of Climate Change; Little Killers; Waiting for a Warbler; Beaver & Otter Get Along . . . Sort of; and the upcoming picture book, Like No Other. Collard holds science degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and U.C. Santa Barbara. He lives in Montana.

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Non-Fiction Children's Book that I read to my twin boys. This book shows how much beavers really do, and what happens when they built a pond. It also shows how different beavers and otters are. It shows that even if you do not like you neighbors you can still get a long because everyone does things differently. I really loved this book's pictures. Great children's book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Dawn Publications) or author (Sneed Collard) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[CanadianReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely and informative children’s book with beautiful, expressive, and scientifically accurate watercolour illustrations by the Rhode-Island-School-of-Design-trained artist Meg Sodano. The bulk of the book is dedicated to the story of Beaver’s arrival in a valley with a quick-moving stream. Over a period of a few weeks, he builds a dam, transforming the stream into a pond. He also constructs a lodge. In no time, a female beaver comes along . . . as does an otter . . . and then more otters. Other animals are also attracted to this hospitable new place.

In general, the other animals don’t much bother Beaver. But the otters? They’re a source of considerable irritation and extra work for him. The otters cavort on his lodge during the winter, sliding down its slopes on their backs. They also repeatedly create gaping holes in the dam, dropping the water level of the pond, forcing Beaver to come out multiple times to perform repair work. When the otters get too close to Beaver and his mate’s kits, he hisses and charges. The otters get the message—sort of, and Beaver learns to tolerate the otters—sort of.

The story of Beaver and the otters illustrates what is meant by a “commensal relationship” in nature, where animals, though occasionally annoyed by each other, ultimately get along, live and let live.

In the last few pages of the book, Collard describes some of the unique features of beavers and river otters. While I knew both could close their ears and nostrils while under water, I wasn’t aware that they have clear eyelids that serve as goggles when the animals are immersed. Collard also discusses the tails, feet, and teeth of these creatures, and the reasons for some of their behaviours. There’s even an explanation as to why otters create gaps in beaver dams. Ecological terms are also mentioned and explained: biodiversity, keystone species, and indicator species.

The book includes read-aloud guidance for parents and teachers, activities, websites, and a list of four other books for children to read.

Beaver and Otter Get Along . . . Sort Of is a gem.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story about beavers and otters. One problem is that it’s too stiff and not entertaining enough. The focus is on science.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Beaver and Otter Get Along...Sort of is a beautifully illustrated very simple story of life in and around a stream habitat and the lives of the animals who live there. Due out 7th Sept 2021 from Sourcebooks Kids, it's 40 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

Beaver finds the perfect place to make his home. He works until he is satisfied with his safe and comfy lodge. With his construction, a pond forms which attracts all kinds of new animals who make their homes in the area, including a family of otters. They're very active and sometimes make holes in Mr. & Mrs. Beaver's dam which the beavers spend a lot of time trying to repair. Can they learn to be neighbors?

The text in this short book is easy to read and understand. The art is beautifully rendered and full of small details which will also provide fun for hunt-and-find play during reading time.

Four stars. This would make a superlative choice for public or classroom library acquisition, home library, or for caregivers/childminders.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libraries serving grades 1-3 absolutely need to add this non-fiction pond habitat to their collection and parents should consider it for home bookshelves, as well. Meg Sodano’s illustrations cover the page and provide opportunities for so much conversation even without Collard’s simple text describing the ecosystem of a forest pond area with otter and beaver being the main focus. A completely beautiful pairing of text and art! Back matter extends the learning for the oldest in the target age range and its illustrations are just as fabulous as those in the primary pages! Thanks for the preview copy, Sourcebooks!

[Lorie Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great narrative nonfiction about the commensal relationship between beavers and river otters. Connections to SEL, science and building make it a multipurpose read aloud that can serve many purposes. Don’t miss the backmatter with helpful information and tips on how to integrate this book into your classroom!
Thank you, Sourcebooks foe the advanced copy!

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complimentary copy from Raincoast books for my review.

What an adorable book. Not only do I get great illustrations showing the daily lives of beaver and otter, but I also get to learn how to get along with neighbours who are so different from I am.

Great for children 4-8 years old, It would also be a good introductory book for homeschoolers looking into the lives of beavers and otters, the formation of ponds and wetlands, or looking in the character qualities of neighbourliness.

Helps are given at the end to assist parents and teachers into expanding the ideas presented in the book.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's informational picture book. Beaver knocks down trees and starts to build a dam. When it is complete, there is a new pond that makes a new habitat for a variety of animals. Bugs feed on the dead trees, woodpeckers eat the bugs, fish end up in the water, and the otters eat the fish. The otters though, they annoy the Beaver a bit-- always making holes in the dam. The issue is wrapped up quite quickly, with a simple "Eventually, though, Beaver and the otters grew used to each other."

This is one of those hybrid books, where an argument could be made for shelving it with non-fiction or with picture books. Personally I would lean towards the non-fiction shelving as it is a bit dry as a story. However, there is a lot here for the right purpose and for me that would be as a science text in an elementary school classroom. This could be used when discussing habitats or ecosystems, for comparing and contrasting two animals, and even as a social emotional learning opportunity. Back matter includes labeled diagrams of the beaver and otter, more information on beavers building, read-aloud tips, SEL ideas, information on commensal relationships, and suggested STEM activities (full activities available on publisher website).

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a Beaver moves into the valley, he builds a dam which creates a pond and becomes a healthy environment for lots of other wildlife. Otter moves in, too. He uses the resources too, he fishes in the pond and invites other otters. Even in the winter, Otter and his friends are very active, sliding down the Dam and making a lot of noise. They also made trouble, all the playing on the Dam broke it, and as often as the beaver would fix it, the otters would break it again, and they weren't helping with the repairs.

In nature (just like in real life) everything doesn't go smoothly, and we still need to get along with our neighbors even though we do thing differently. The beavers turning a stream into a pond and all the different animals benefitting from it was great. I loved the illustrations. Includes an appendix with information about both otters and beavers, more details on the environment, plus literacy connections, social emotional learning ideas, STEAM activities and a short science lesson. This is more than a story about neighbors.

Crossposted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved beavers ever since I did a report on them in elementary school and always looked for them in the ODNR area of the Ohio State Fair! This was a delightful introduction for young children on beavers and how they can create whole new ecosystems just by building a dam! It was an interesting take to focus on their love-hate relationship with otters, and I even learned something new: "commensal relationships" between animals where one helps the other but not vice versa. I really liked that not only does this book teach science, but also interpersonal relationship skills. I appreciated the added info at the back that can be used as a teaching aid. Also, I absolutely loved the illustrations!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Dawn Publications through Edelweiss+.
Introduction to animal habitats for younger readers. We see beaver find a place to construct a dam and create an ecosystem that works for him and for other species. Then otters arrive and create changes to the established system. The two figure out ways to share the space and co-exist. Collard approaches this with the explanation that they don't have to be best friends; they simply have to get along. The information is presented in a way that elementary readers will understand and connect with. Further informative text is provided at the end of the book.

[Novel Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many reasons to read Sneed B. Collard’s Beaver and Otter Get Along…Sort Of with your kids. You should read it because the watercolor illustrations are gorgeous. You should read it because the information is factual and written in the perfect way to get kids interested and hooked on science. You should read it because even though we may all be different and do things differently, we all have a place. You should read it because you don’t have to like everyone to live respectfully.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love both otters and beavers, so picking up this book was a no-brainer for me! When a beaver finds a perfect river to live by, he creates a dam, which then creates a new kind of habitat for all sorts of critters. Much to his dismay, a family of otters have migrated to his pond, and they tend to make a ruckus and unintentionally damage his craftsmanship! Can these fuzzy aquatic families learn to adapt and live in harmony? I sure hope so!

[Katie Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sourcebooks for providing an early copy to read and review.

Narrative nonfiction that shares the story of the commensal relationship between beavers and river otters. They get along (sort of), while beavers helping otters by creating dams and ponds and a flourishing habitat area. Back matter includes nonfiction information about beavers and otters as well as SEL tips and STEM activities.

Pair with Kate Messner’s Over and Under series.

Published in September 2021.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and amusing story of the interaction of beavers and otters. I think littles who love animals will enjoy hearing and reading this book. Loads of info at the end about the relationship between beavers, otters, and the environment . I had no idea otters could discern water quality!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the Beaver, their lives and how they get along with the Otter family. I really loved the illustrations beautifully colored. It adds to the wonderment of the book and the naturalistic illustrations. I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages. Thanks to #netgalley for the advanced reader copy. I loved it!

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative nonfiction picture book which can help students understand how an ecosystem begins with one beaver dam. I loved the story, but I especially liked learning about the ecosystem of a pond. The back of the book is filled with interesting facts about beavers and otters.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Dawn Publications for a free digital copy.

This book is a book about getting along,.. sort of. But is also a book about animal adaptations and habitats and life cycles. What an educational treat.

[A Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book is all the information in the back! There is a diagram which compares beavers and river otters; beavers are herbivores and otters are carnivores but that both have clear eyelids, for example. There is also an illustration to help readers visualize the inside of the beavers' lodge and how that lodge helps keep the beavers safe from predators. Otters are "indicator species" the book explains, too. There is a "literacy connection" section with questions to ask young listeners about the book, discussion suggestions, and a portion dedicated to social emotional learning! Then there is a "science connection" section which helps readers understand "commensal relationships" and includes activities! Definitely a book I would include buy and include in my beaver lesson plan.

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is chock full of nature, but the story is about getting along with your neighbors--even if you don't necessarily like them. It's such a timely reminder of balance in human ecosystems as well as animal ones. Meg Sodano's illustrations are fun and warm while also educational. Both the author and the illustrator are instructive but also humorous in their tale-telling. This is a must-have for every classroom and a book every parent will enjoy having on their shelf.

[Sneed III · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author, just want to say that this is one of my favorite picture books I've written, both for the joyful, informative text and Meg Sodano's delightful illustrations. Watch a video intro I made of the book at https://youtu.be/ngXPjJBIINE
The end of the book includes four pages of additional information on beavers and otters as well as fantastic literacy and science connections. Enjoy!

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about patience. It was a cool fiction book that contained true info/circumstances that otters and beavers would encounter in the same habitat. At the back of the book, there is a wonderful section called "Explore More For Kids." It contains adaptation information, nature's architects and engineers, literacy connections, and science connections.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction book was highly informative and fairly engaging. The attention to scientific detail was beneficial to the comprehension of how animals interact within their habitats. The SEL message within about grit and persistence are a welcome addition to an engaging informational text.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The supplemental information in the back of the book is very helpful and fosters good use in a storytime or craft/STEAM tie-in.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute introduction to how wild animals interact in nature, where each serves their purpose within their habitat.

[Cailyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Unironically love this book