Review originally posted at The Children's Book and Media Review

No one knows for sure where Otter came from, but now she lives with Otter Keeper and her best friend, Teddy. They have a lot of fun together, but Otter Keeper has to go to work during the week no matter what Otter does to keep him from leaving. She decides that it’s unfair that she and Teddy don’t have jobs, so she decides to start their own business: a toast restaurant. They have a great time, but Otter Keeper comes home to a big mess and all of the customers have to go home. Soon Otter realizes that Teddy is missing. She and Otter Keeper search to find their missing friend and also learn that it’s okay for Otter Keeper to go to work as long as Otter has her best friend.

I am Otter magnificently captures the imagination of being a child. The story is told in Otter’s quirky voice, but the illustrations show that Otter is actually pretending to have a toast restaurant with the help of her toys. The humor is enough that young children can identify it, and adults will also enjoy Otter’s unique personality and perspective on life. I am Otter is a wonderful story of imagination, friendship, and how it can be hard for a parent or for a best friend to leave for a short time.