Parents' Guide to Otter in Space

Otter in Space Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Regan McMahon By Regan McMahon , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 4+

Otter rockets to the moon in fun celebration of imagination.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 4+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

While Otter Keeper's at work, Otter decides to rocket to the moon (actually the backyard) with Teddy. So she builds a space suit and rocket ship out of cardboard boxes and blasts off (from the top of the slide). Once there's an OTTER IN SPACE, she finds a moon rock (actually a garden boulder) and brings it back home. When Otter Keeper comes home and finds the garden torn up and a big dirty rock in the house, Otter Keeper has her take it back outside and adds "Do not dig up moon rocks" to Otter's do-not-do list on the refrigerator.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Adorable Otter's imagination gets her mildly in trouble again in this delightful celebration of independent play and let's pretend. Otter's a great stand-in for a kid who gets carried away at make-believe. Otter Keeper is patient and tolerant and understands that Otter's just a creative self-starter whose heart is in the right place.

The wonderful illustrations are full of fun details and deadpan expressions on the toys Otter plays with and imbues with opinions and reactions as he narrates their play, even though Teddy, for example, looks comatose at all times.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about outer space. Would you like to explore in a rocket ship? Do you ever pretend you're on another planet?

  • Did you read I Am Otter? What do you like about the Otter character? Do you want to keep following her adventures?

  • Do you have a favorite toy that you take on imaginary journeys? How is that toy like a real playmate?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Otter in Space Poster Image

What to Read Next

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate