About the Book and Author
Otter Chaos is the first title in a new illustrated full-colour adventure series for young readers featuring some brave and endearing mice characters.
Written by Philip Reeve with detailed illustrations by Sarah McIntyre it is published by David Fickling Books and perfectly pitched for 5-8 year old children who are eager to read independently.
Philip Reeve has been writing stories since he was five years old, but the first one to be published was Mortal Engines which won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize and Blue Peter Book Award. Philip has also provided cartoons and jokes for many books, including Horrible Histories, and co-created young fiction with illustrator Sarah McIntyre including Pugs of the Frozen North, Oliver and the Seawigs, and The Legend of Kevin.
Writer-illustrator Sarah McIntyre loves comics, raspberry jam and inappropriate dinnertime conversation. Funnily enough, these things all relate to her books Vern and Lettuce, Jampires and Morris the Mankiest Monster.
Book Review
My favourite bit was when the otter had Pedro hanging from its mouth because I didn’t know whether he was going to eat him or not!
The start of the book described how safe and cosy Pedro’s home was. It made it feel as though an adventure would be a scary and uncomfortable thing to do. I liked the idea of them living safely under an old lady’s floorboards.
I loved the pictures in the book because I liked seeing the characters and getting to know them. I liked seeing the mouse islands and the map.
I loved the mouse islands because they are full of amazing things like tiny houses on rocks, little bridges and lots of inventions. I also like it all being built on the sea as it’s super cool.
All the adventure mice were cool and fierce. Pedro is so brave because he just broke out of his house and left his family for an adventure. I loved his bravery and liked that even when he got scared he kept going until he was the hero. When he was nervous, he just pushed through and kept going. It was also cool when he jumped into the ocean and met the adventure mice. Pedro showed that being brave means to keep on trying no matter what.
The otter (Mortlake) is the baddy until the whirlpool. In the whirlpool, he ends up saving Pedro but it looks like he’s eating him in the picture. This was my favourite bit because I didn’t know if he was going to eat him or not!
Mum says:
Jesse loved this book so much he was inspired to write his own story and spent hours working on the adventures of a Turtle with many themes that he’d clearly been taken in by from Adventure Mice creeping in so this is testament to the book working well for capturing imagination in this age bracket.
It was also the first time he has been compelled to read to himself (not aloud) so another great sign.
My 3 year old child has also shown interest despite it being too long for him really but the pictures and story definitely capture imagination and makes us want to read more stories about the adventure mice.
If you would would like to buy a copy of the book we invite you to order it from your local independent book shop.
Or, you can shop on-line and support our Kids Reviews page by sourcing your discounted book via this link
Alternatively, we suggest that you visit your local library and request to borrow a copy from a friendly librarian.
Whichever you choose, we hope you enjoy being part of your unique reading community – happy reading everyone!
Reviewer Profile
- Name: Jesse
- Age: 6 years
- Likes: Football, musicals and olives
- Dislikes: Broad beans and tidying his room
- Favourite Book: Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling
- Favourite Song: Any from Matilda the Musical
- Favourite TV Show: The Fixies
