OTIS KNOWS (HOW TO BE A BEAR) written by Liz Garton Scalon and Martha Brockenbrough illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

Not only are Liz Garton Scalon and Martha Brockenbrough master of words, but love wild creatures. They show their appreciation in OTIS KNOWS (HOW TO BE A BEAR) based on a real big fat bear and the Alaskan Katami rangers who invite the whole world to join in admiration with videos taken during the Fat Bear Week. There is a wonderful meld of real world information, lovely imagery, and the character of Otis, a late-to-wake hibernating bear who “SSSNNNNNNRRRRRRRRKKKK”s in his cave. This wonderful sound is repeated throughout as are the comic illustrations of Stephanie Laberis. Unlike other brown bears who frolic as they hunt down salmon, Otis picks a perfect fishing hole and gulps down salmon and rests, then eats and rests, and does it all over again until he becomes the fatest bear of all. You can find out more about this book in the Purchase link below.