Read extract

Odder
by Katherine Applegate Charles Santoso

A delightful, feel-good picture book about a brave otter who creates a special family when life gets turned upside down. Based on the bestselling verse novel by Katherine Applegate.

Recommended age: Picture Books

A$24.99

(Hardback)

Ships on 29/04/2025

Overview

Meet Odder: the Queen of Play!

She twists and darts,
weaves and rolls,
circles and swirls,
leaving frothy trails in her wake.
Why simply somersault
when you can triple-doughnut?
Why simply dive
when you can dazzle?

Odder spends her days playing underwater and learning from her mother. But Odder’s life takes a dramatic turn when a storm hits, and she is rescued by humans.

Adapted from Katherine Applegate’s bestselling novel of the same name (with over 80 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list!) and inspired by the true story of a program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this lyrical tale explores resilience, healing and the importance of play through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved animals.

Details

The New York Times

‘Applegate’s Odder will win your heart.’

The Wall Street Journal

‘Applegate uses strands of nonfiction detail to anchor and give stability to Odder’s fictional story … accessible and informative story.’

Publishers Weekly

‘Applegate uses strands of nonfiction detail to anchor and give stability to Odder’s fictional story … accessible and informative story.’

Booklist

‘A stunning study of a remarkable and resilient sea creature’

BCCB

‘A captivating tale about life’s existential balance between survival and play.’

Kirkus

‘The natural appeal of sea otters will draw readers in, but the book doesn’t shy away from real-world threats such as predators, disease, and pollution … Charming.’

Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate is a #1 New York Times–bestselling author who has written many children’s books, including The One and Only Ivan, which won a Newbery Medal; The One and Only Bob; Wishtree; Odder; and the Doggo and Pupper series. She is also the co-author, with Gennifer Choldenko, of Dogtown and Mouse and His Dog: A Dogtown Book. Katherine Applegate lives in Nevada with her loyal husband and her naughty dog. You can visit her at katherineapplegate.com.

Charles Santoso

Charles Santoso loves drawing little things in his little journal and dreams about funny, wondrous stories. He is the creator of Happy Hippo and has illustrated many books, including Ida, Always, written by Caron Levis, which was praised by the New York Times as ‘an example of children’s books at their best’. He has also illustrated the New York Times bestsellers Wishtree and Odder, by Katherine Applegate. He currently lives in Singapore. You can visit him at charlessantoso.com.