I'm a huge sucker for valentine's books for children and I ate this up. It is so cute and sweet and would be great for a storytime either for Valentine's or as a friendship theme. Bonus points for being and Otter as that is my library's mascot!

This book is seriously sweet and totally relatable for kids of all ages. Otto the otter is shy and lonely, but he learns a super important lesson: it’s okay to be alone sometimes, but we’re never truly alone. Others might be loud and overwhelming, but they’re still our friends because they accept us for who we are—quiet, shy, and full of doubts. It’s like the perfect Valentine’s Day book for kiddos.

The artwork in this book is just chef’s kiss. The illustrations are big and adorable, and the page design and font size are on point. I seriously love how the characters come to life on the page.
This book is all about celebrating friendship and Valentine’s Day vibes. Otto learns to be brave and ask for help to find Ottilie, showing kids that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It’s like a warm hug in book form, you know? And then there’s this adorable scene where Otto sees Ottilie playing by herself, and he swims over to introduce himself and play with her. It’s like teaching kids that it’s okay to do your own thing, but if you wanna hang out with others, you gotta make the first move. So cute!

Overall, this book is a must-have for little ones. It’s got adorable illustrations, a heartwarming story, and some great life lessons tucked in there. 10/10 would recommend!

This seems like it’s supposed to be a Valentines book, but I find it does not work. Otto is lonely and really wants to make friends but is too scared to try and make friends. When the group see an otter off by themselves, they go find them, but the more otters approach the more other runs away. Eventually they get close, and one tells the other that it’s OK that I’m alone I’m not lonely. But this still makes them go off happily ever after. it seems like the beginning of a toxic relationship. One flat out says I am not lonely yet the other still wants to play together. This is meant to be a fun cute kids book and it is the adult and me thinking we should be teaching about boundaries and consent.

A perfect Valentines read aloud with the most adorable otter friend. Delightful story and images for children of all ages.

Otto is a lonely otter - one who is too shy and timid to join in with the other otters at play time in the water, and who is not feeling loved. With Valentines Day approaching, Otto knows he will be alone again, on the outside and watching everyone else have fun with each other.

But when Otto spots Ottilie, another otter who keeps herself apart from the crowd, (and a lovely one at that) Ottos compassion overtakes his fear. Realizing that she may be feeling lonely too, Otto manages to harness the bravery to ask others for the help he needs to find her.

As Otto soon learns, making friends does not have to be scary, and being alone is not the same thing as being lonely.

Sweetly illustrated and clearly texted with simple, easily accessible messaging, this pre-school picture book is a pure delight from start to finish.

A gentle reminder that not all children are outgoing, boisterous and socially gifted, Otto and Otillie, and this lovable picture book, bring the message of diversity and inclusion to readers as they gently affirm that it’s okay to be different, or alone, and it’s also also lovely to find a friend.

And what could be sweeter than that?

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, the illustrator, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

This was such a cute Valentines book for kids. The pictures / artwork were adorable. I love books that are still cute and fun, but have a hidden message teaching kids something. Otto found another lonely Otter Ottilie, but soon found out that just because you don't have tons of friends around you, it doesn't mean you are lonely. And there is nothing wrong with being by yourself. Such a good book, definitely recommend.

It was ok and the message was good (it’s ok to play alone) but it was missing something to really make it engaging for kids. As a read aloud, I also struggle with names that I’m not sure how to pronounce like ‘Ottolie’- I understand it’s a play on Otter but I wish it was something less open.

This is a very cute valentines children’s book about how Otto the otter is so lonely. He then finds Ottilie and realized that just becuase she is herself doesn’t means he’s lonely just that she enjoys being alone!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for my honest feedback!

Oh my heavens! Make this a series! Love the message, love the illustrations, love the short text. I am all in! Already borrowed from the library!

The illustrations in the book are absolutely adorable and very pleasing to the eye. This book teaches the idea that you can be alone without being lonely, and that sometimes having time to yourself is important. I think that it could have touched on how having time to yourself helps you regain balance and refill your social battery, as this thought about being alone but not lonely was not very thoroughly explained. I also think that there could have been more scenes that children could relate to, such as playing. The book mentions playing several times, but we never see any of them actually playing. The otters and other animals mostly just float around in the water with heart depictions above their heads. There are themes and ideas in this book that many children can relate to, but I don’t think that the illustrations and words fulfilled the potential for the message they were trying to send. I feel as if there is something missing. This book is very cute and has a good message. I received an early copy for Netgalley. Thank you to Netgalley!

Shyness can make someone want to be alone, but alone doesn't have to feel lonely.
The book is colorfully and delightfully illustrated by the DK team.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age, great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a temporary electronic copy on Adobe Digital Editions from DK/DK Children via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to view this book! This children's book is about a shy otter named Otto who eventually finds his perfect match. The illustrations were beautiful and the story was cute, but there was one part where he notices the female otter with pretty seashells in her hair and I wasn't a huge fan of that. There were other things about her he noticed (she was alone like him) and I could have done without the part about her appearance. Maybe I'm reading into it too much :)

Felt like the artwork was pretty good, but the plot was very bland. It was a nice idea for a book, and the otters were cute, but not developed/polished as much as it could have been.

Absolutely adorable story with great illustrations! I think this would be a great storytime option for anytime of the year, not just Valentines Day.

The art in this picture book is beautiful! The story did feel a bit forced. While it is for little ones and does have a clear message, it felt like the message was too simplified, even for kids.

A sweet story about an otter who realizes that loneliness isn’t that terrible when you’re okay being alone. And you just have to find those “otters” who understand you ! The illustrations are so cute and the message is clear for young kids.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

ARC reader for NetGalley

“Awww adorable”- Lisa age 6

Otto is a shy, lonely otter on Valentine’s Day. When he spots another lonely otter he decides to be brave and make friends with her. They become fast friends and she teaches him that being alone doesn’t always mean you’re lonely.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. An adorable story about a lonely otter looking for love. Cute, could be great for a Valentines Day book or just a book about friendship and love.

A cute Valentine's day read for young introverted readers.
This cute story follows Otto, a shy otter who wants to make friends with the "lonely' otter with shells in her hair.
But Otto finds that sometimes being alone doesn't actually mean you are lonely.

I received a free copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh em gee this was the sweetest story!! Perfect for little ones. The story is so cute. I loved the illustrations. They were just so adorable! I wish it were a little longer.