Wildlife photographer Eszterhas (Orangutan Orphanage, 2016) continues her attractive Wildlife Rescue series with this irresistible third installment. This time, her focus is on the sea otters rehabilitated at the Alaska SeaLife Center on Resurrection Bay. In double-page spreads complemented by glossy (and adorable) photographs, she explains clearly and succinctly the lives of otters in the wild, their biological functions, and how a pup might come to be lost or orphaned. By following the growth and development of one particular rescued pup, Mishka, Eszterhas provides a clear look into the process by which a pup is rehabilitated, raised, and looked after by humans, and explains the options the pups have when they're ready to leave the shelter. A section on conservation and how kids can help at the grassroots level brings the message a little closer to home, especially for those readers who don't live near rescue centers but still want to help, as does a section where Eszterhas answers questions from kids. A valuable addition to STEM collections.

Gr 1-5 Fluffy, mischievous otter pups are close to irresistible, especially for young children. Enter this well-organized and fascinating volume on otters, accompanied by squee-worthy photos. Browsers of all ages will be drawn to these pictures, which not only capture the animals' charisma but showcase their abilities and behavior, too. Otter pups covering their eyes while they nap, squealing for their caretakers, and using their bellies as plates are just a few of the activities depicted in the large, clear photos. The informative and detailed text will further spark curiosity and keep readers engaged. Eszterhas's accessible text discusses the otters' behavior and biological needs while explaining how staff at the Alaska SeaLife center care for orphaned sea otter pups. Readers will be delighted to learn about how otter fur acts as a flotation device and how the mother wraps her babies in kelp to keep the pups from floating away while she hunts. A glossary, index, sources, a question-and-answer section, and a list of ways to help sea otters further expand the book's utility for classrooms and projects. VERDICT This is an excellent choice to inspire elementary students' interest in conservation, ocean life, and animal behavior. Rachel Anne Mencke, St. Matthew's Parish School, Pacific Palisades, CA