Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

The love between a fish and an otter is given the thoughtful treatment such an unexpected attraction deserves. The homophonous title arouses curiosity while intimating troubled waters. Although it is love at first sight in the opening spread, the central conflict--that fish fall beneath otters in the food chain--is present as well. Howe explores the pleasure and pain of loving someone who is different from one's self in a manner that is both sophisticated and accessible to children. His rhapsodic language recalls William Steig's in The Amazing Bone (1976). Myrtle (really Gurgle, the fish) ponders "…the stirrings of her own / heart-- / her own tremulous / fish-not-wishing-to-be-dinner / heart-- / awakened to… / not only love but a future / she could never have imagined." The author builds suspense and credibility by twice speculating on the outcome. He first imagines what would happen "in a perfect world," then "in a tragic tale." Ultimately, Beaver's wisdom helps Otter overcome his instincts and the gossipers' ill will (a reality magnified by their tightly-knit circle, viewed from below). Raschka's childlike renderings of creatures in thick, penciled outlines create the innocence, mirror the hope and provide the universality that contributes to the title's ascent above its purely message-driven counterparts. Ever-changing watercolor washes and primordial shapes depict a wondrous, liquid world in which the star-crossed lovers learn to trust their hearts. (Picture book. 5-9)

ALA Booklist (Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

Otter is looking for dinner, but he finds love instead. No, not with a member of the same species but with his food source: a wide-eyed fish whom Otter calls Myrtle (sounds like gurgle). Of course, there's all kinds of disapproving chatter ("It isn't natural") among the other river creatures, and Otter begins to rethink the romance. As happily-ever-­after hangs in the balance, Otter must decide which is more important ing a normal fish-eating otter or following his heart. Howe's text dips its toes into didactic waters and can feel messagey at times, but the book offers a springboard for discussions with children about bullies and societal pressures. Two-time Caldecott Medal winner Raschka (The Hello, Goodbye Window, 2005; A Ball for Daisy, 2011) creates fresh watercolor-and-pencil illustrations that are deceptively simple; the wonderfully childlike drawings of flora and fauna resemble patterns made with crayon, and the creatures are simple oval shapes with circles for eyes and loops for arms and legs. An unusual, inspiring tale of star-crossed lovers and nonconformity. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Raschka has more followers than ever after his 2012 Caldecott win. Add Howe's strong fan base, and you have plenty of anticipation for this collaborative effort.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

An unlikely pair--predator and prey, otter and fish--fall in love, and Otter must decide whether to follow "the way of the otter" and eat fish, or find an alternative and stay with Myrtle. The folkloric tone of Howe's narrative with Raschka's simple watercolor and pencil illustrations provide a timeless feel to the quirky undersea tale.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

The love between a fish and an otter is given the thoughtful treatment such an unexpected attraction deserves. The homophonous title arouses curiosity while intimating troubled waters. Although it is love at first sight in the opening spread, the central conflict--that fish fall beneath otters in the food chain--is present as well. Howe explores the pleasure and pain of loving someone who is different from one's self in a manner that is both sophisticated and accessible to children. His rhapsodic language recalls William Steig's in The Amazing Bone (1976). Myrtle (really Gurgle, the fish) ponders "…the stirrings of her own / heart-- / her own tremulous / fish-not-wishing-to-be-dinner / heart-- / awakened to… / not only love but a future / she could never have imagined." The author builds suspense and credibility by twice speculating on the outcome. He first imagines what would happen "in a perfect world," then "in a tragic tale." Ultimately, Beaver's wisdom helps Otter overcome his instincts and the gossipers' ill will (a reality magnified by their tightly-knit circle, viewed from below). Raschka's childlike renderings of creatures in thick, penciled outlines create the innocence, mirror the hope and provide the universality that contributes to the title's ascent above its purely message-driven counterparts. Ever-changing watercolor washes and primordial shapes depict a wondrous, liquid world in which the star-crossed lovers learn to trust their hearts. (Picture book. 5-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Love at first sight befalls a hungry otter and the fish he intends to eat for dinner. Soul-searching ensues. -I am in love with my food source,- the dismayed otter admits, gazing into Myrtle-s -round, sweet, glistening eyes.- Otter-s carnivorous friends mutter, -It isn-t natural,- and Otter has no answer when Myrtle asks, -But must you eat my friends? My family?- Rather than receive an automatic -happily ever after,- Otter has to explore alternative menu options to keep his true love by his side. While Howe (Brontorina) speaks to younger readers with this -odder- romance, the important questions it raises wouldn-t be out of place in his middle-grade fiction. To be fair, the male meat-eater holds the cards in this relationship, although Myrtle returns Otter-s affections after an initial flight instinct. Raschka, who also merged the existential and the piscine in Arlene Sardine, provides abstract and wonderfully childlike crayon-and-watercolor images of a serpentine brook, rippling and meandering as the otter and fish cavort. Howe-s story reaches beyond its target audience and presents a lovely, unpreachy allegory for relationships that fall outside the mainstream. Ages 6-10. Illustrator-s agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

Gr 1-3 Swimming through a river in search of a meal, Otter comes face-to-face with a doe-eyed fish and finds love instead. The fish wants only to escape, but gazing into her captor's eyes, she sees "a tender and lonely heart revealed," and her own "tremulous/fish-not-wishing-to-be-dinner/heart" awakens to the possibility of affection. Alas, the course of true love never does run smooth, particularly when meandering through the links of the food chain, and the couple's idyllic happiness is short-lived. Tongues wag ("'It isn't right.'/'It isn't natural.'/'It isn't the way of the otter'"), causing him doubts, while his beloved wonders how she can love someone who feeds upon her family and friends. However, this romance is not destined to end in tragedy: inspired by Beaver's astute words ("&30;there is/the way of the otter/and there is/the way of the heart./It is up to you to decide which to follow"), Otter makes his choice-and a change in diet (apples and aspen bark can be very tasty)-paving the way for a happily-ever-after conclusion. Howe's narrative incorporates humor, earnest emotion, and a likable protagonist to convey important truths about following one's heart and looking beyond the expectations of others. The text is lyrical and rhythmically cadenced, unfurling gracefully like a blossoming flower to reveal its wisdom. Resplendent in sparkling sun-warmed hues, Raschka's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations use stick-figure-style characters and unembellished shapes to strike the perfect balance of simplicity and eloquence. Like Leo Lionni's wonder-filled fables, this tale entertains while it inspires. Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal