In the footsteps of Arnosky's other simple nature books--Deer at the Brook (1986), Come Out , Muskrats (1989), Racoons and Ripe Corn (1987), Watching Foxes (1984, all Lothrop)--comes this charming, true-to-life glimpse of two young otters swimming, playing, and feeding in a sunlit pond under the watchful gaze of their mother. As always, this naturalist author/artist has enhanced the basic lesson through his inclusion of plants, creatures, and rock formations that form a part of the animals' natural habitat. His carefully executed colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations, all unbordered double-page spreads, reflect his keen observations of nature and his fine artistic talent. Each of his creatures exhibits a distinct individualism, adding character to the realistic scenes. The short, simple, oversized text, one sentence or phrase to a page, succinctly describes the pictured activity without detracting from the eye-catching view. This slim volume will appeal to beginning readers and is a delightful lap book for preschoolers as well. --Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Pub. Lib . , OH Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.