If You Take Away the Otter

"If You Take Away the Otter" is a beautifully illustrated nonfiction book that introduces young readers to the concept of a trophic cascade through the compelling story of sea otters and kelp forests. It explains how the near extinction of otters led to the destruction of their habitat by sea urchins, and how conservation efforts allowed both otters and kelp to recover. The book is perfect for ages 4-11, offering accessible science with "asides that dig deeper" for older or more curious readers, and includes valuable back matter on conservation and the historical impact of the fur trade.

When the sea otters disappear, why does their kelp forest habitat disappear, too? On the Pacific Coast of North America, sea otters play, dive, and hunt for sea urchins, crabs, abalone, and fish in the lush kelp forests beneath the waves. But there was a time when people hunted the otters almost to extinction. Without sea otters to eat them, an army of hungry sea urchins grew and destroyed entire kelp forests. Fish and other animals that depended on the kelp were lost, too. But when people protected the sea otters with new laws, their numbers began to recover, and so did the kelp forests. Susannah Buhrman-Deever offers a beautifully written account of a trophic cascade, which happens when the removal of a single element affects an entire habitat. Asides that dig deeper are woven throughout Matthew Trueman’s dynamic illustrations, starring a raft of charismatic sea otters. Back matter includes more information about sea otters and kelp forests, including their importance and current status, the effects of the international fur trade on indigenous peoples, and a list of books and websites for readers who wish to continue to explore.