Jason and the Sea Otter - Softcover

Barber-Starkey, Joe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1550171623 ISBN 13: 9781550171624

Publisher: Harbour Publishing, 1997

Synopsis

This delightful story of a Nootka boy, his explorations in nature, and the sea otter who saves his life, is now available in paperback!

In this contemporary tale, Jason discovers the return of the sea otter to his West Coast village. One day, while fishing in his dugout canoe, Jason sees a dark furry head with black eyes and a grey whiskery muzzle bobbing among the weeds. Fascinated, he spends many hours with his canoe tied to the kelp bed, watching the sea otter. One day Jason leans too far over in his canoe and falls into the water. The canoe has come loose from where he tied it and, and a strong current is carrying it away from him. But something prevents the canoe from drifting away.

In an entertaining way, Jason and the Sea Otter teaches children the importance of learning about and being in nature, and the respect that nature's wild creatures deserve. Paul Montpellier's full-colour illustrations have been described as "wonderfully clear and detailed, capturing both closeness to nature and a sense of continuity of native tradition."

About this title

About the Author

Joe Barber-Starkey was born in England in 1918, but spent nearly all his life on Vancouver Island working in municipal and environmental engineering. After retirement he spent 10 years as a volunteer guide for school programs at the Royal BC Museum. He has written two children's books for Harbour Publishing, Jason and the Sea Otter and Jason's New Dugout Canoe.

Paul Montpellier was born in Vancouver in 1949. He trained at the Calgary Art School and has worked as both an artist/illustrator and a set designer. Since 1977 he has been a tree surgeon for the National Parks Board. Paul wrote and illustrated Atlas and illustrated the bestselling Jason and the Sea Otter and Jason's New Dugout Canoe, both written by Joe Barber Starkey.

Review

"Jason and the Sea Otter is the kind of book that adults will never tire of reading to children in their care. Both author and illustrator have subtly presented details of the Nootka way of life in a manner which flows with the story rather than being forcefully injected out of context. Highly recommended."
-Joan Payzant, Canadian Materials

"Jason and the Sea Otter is an enchanting story for younger children as well as an excellent introduction to West Coast native life."
-Edmonton Journal

"Paul Montpellier, who illustrated the book, has done a wonderful job. . . . The book would be enjoyed by many children, especially those from the age of five to the age of eight. It is a calming but exciting adventure with Jason in his canoe as he watches the wildlife on the rocks, in the water, and on the beaches. This book is enough to awaken an interest in wildlife in any child who reads it."
-Brenna Turvey, Vancouver Sun

About this edition

• Publisher: Harbour Publishing
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 1550171623
• ISBN 13: 9781550171624
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Montpellier Paul