Bobby Otter and the Blue Boat (Maple Forest Story) - Hardcover

Burdick's first book is a sweet account of a young otter's desire for a blue sailboat. In the barter economy of the Maple Forest, Bobby searches for an item to trade for the boat. Colored fall leaves won't dothey'll dry out and turn brown. Lovely colored stones from the stream dry and turn gray. In the end, it is Bobby's colorful painting of a sunset that proves an object fit to trade. Burdick's highly spirited illustrations provide a lively accompaniment to the text. In richly detailed pictures, a wide assortment of friends bustle about their forest home. Little extras, such as a porcupine who wears a bright blue sweater beneath his quills, contribute to the overall good humor of this first in a series. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

PreSchool-Grade 3 A smoothly flowing story and a well crafted first book by Burdick. Bob by Otter wants the sailboat that is in the forest trading store. After several unsuc cessful bargaining attempts that include autumn leaves and tasty twigs, he paints a lovely landscape and makes the trade. The illustrations are delightful, if somewhat precious. Soft furry animals are painted in fresh, crisp colors. Lots of undistracting detail will add to rereading pleasure. This is a good quiet-time book that can also serve as a discussion starter on what actu ally constitutes a fair trade. Kathleen Klenda Kaiser, Coronado Public Library, Calif.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.