Otter and Odder: A Love Story

By James Howe

Pictures by Chris Raschka

Candlewick, 2012

$14, ages 6 and up, 40 pages.

Just as Otter snatches a fish from the river, he realizes the fish is quite a catch -- and he'd rather love her than eat her.

But can an otter date his food source? And if he does, can he still eat her family?

In this perfect little picture book, an otter known simply as Otter and fish called Myrtle try to figure out how to love each other in a world where straying from the food chain just isn't done.

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet

By Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrated by Bob Shea

Dial Books, 2011

$16.99, ages 3-5, 32 pages

Gilbert has almost everything an aquarium fish could want.

A stone castle to swim through, a treasure chest that bubbles, even food flakes that fall from the sky.

Now if he could just have a pet to care for and love, he'd be the happiest little goldfish in a bowl.

The problem is, every creature that peers into his bowl isn't quite right.

A dog comes by and licks his bowl hello and bounds around it in circles. At first it's fun to follow him, but then he barks too much and laps up Gilbert's water.

Next, a small gray mouse sniffs at the glass and Gilbert's heart goes "pitter-patter-swish." Finally. A quiet pet.

But as soon as the mouse realizes Gilbert isn't a chunk of cheese, he scampers away. And Gilbert's heart goes plop.