Otis P. Oliver Protests

by Keri Claiborne Boyle, Daniel Duncan (Illustrator)

Overview

Otis P. Oliver is taking a stand. He is NOT taking another bath--ever. But when your opinions matter to the rest of the family about as much as the opinions of the family dog (who, it's worth mentioning, only has to bathe once a month), you have to get serious. So Otis borrows a spiffy suit from his dad and rouses a rabble of neighbor kids to stand up for what the know is right: a bathtub ban. This hilarious story about standing up for what you believe in, compromise, and family will have readers of all ages ready to hit the pavement for their cause--whatever it may be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534110434
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	04/15/2020
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	8 - 9 Years

Editorial Reviews

2020-02-09
To bathe or not to bathe? To Otis P. Oliver, that’s definitely not the question.

Otis P.’s peeved: The dog bathes once a month; he is forced to take four baths a week. How to show he’s serious about avoiding bathtime? Otis dons his dad’s suit and tie, delivers a rousing speech to bath-disgusted pals, and marches the unwashed bunch to his lawn, picket signs aloft. Notes passed between protester and mom, expressing Otis’s tub aversion (and, parenthetically, his dinner concerns) and mom’s responses—with put-upon sisters and dog acting as go-betweens—eventually effect a satisfactory compromise. In the end, though, Otis P. shows he has one more card to lay on the negotiation table. This comical tale about achieving one’s aims creatively should strike a resounding chord with kids, particularly those who aren’t on speaking terms with bathtubs themselves. Children will giggle at Otis’ tactics and back-and-forth correspondence. The expressive illustrations are humorous, energetic, and incorporate the hand-written notes, shown transcribed on pieces torn from lined notebook paper. Otis is white, chubby, and crowned with brown curls; wavy lines suggest he reeks. His family presents with various tones of pale skin and different hair colors and styles; one sister wears glasses. The skin colors, sizes, and hairstyles of Otis’ chums are diverse.

Even bath-happy readers will want to hear this book. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews