The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story by Brian Biggs, Kate Messner
ISBN: 0063372622
Genres: Animals, Humor, Informational, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

This is a unique picture book that can be read from front to back, and then back to front. On the first reading, the Whale’s character is humorously boasting true facts about whales in comparison to otters. When you reach the end of the book, it instructs to read it backwards to hear the Otter’s side of the story. The text cleverly turns the boasted information around to make the Otter’s facts appear in favor to the Whale.

This wordplay makes this a fun read-aloud to kids, who will also learn real facts about both species. However, the wordplay makes the actual read-aloud somewhat stilted, and ruins any sort of fluidity of story-telling. Overall good, children will enjoy the humor. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath