Lottie & Walter

Lottie firmly believes there is a shark lurking in the pool where she's supposed to be taking group swim lessons. What's more, the shark, whose menacing blue-gray body seems to have materialized from the murky depths, has very specific tastes: it "didn't want to eat the other kids. It wanted to eat Lottie." So Lottie perches on a bench in a bright red suit with a towel over her head each week, "watched, waited, put her shoes back on, and went home again." When Lottie is told of an imminent pool party, she shivers, then conjures up an antidote to the shark: a big floppy walrus named Walter, who has a pretty impressive set of teeth himself. He gains Lottie's confidence at home, sleeping on her top bunk and playing hide-and-seek, then ultimately coaxes her into the water with a call of "Humbelly doo, lumbelly la, loopy loo." Quiet prose by Walker (Florette), a doll-like protagonist wearing oversize flippers, and soft, thoughtful watercolors give this story of facing one's fears an intimate, confiding feel, with happy, hulking Walter adding just the right amount of gentle amusement. Ages 4-7. (June)

PreS-Gr 2--Lottie keeps her fear a secret, but she knows that the pool where she takes swim lessons hides a ravenous shark--hiding and waiting just for her. Her fear is real, visualized on a spread with an image of Lottie poised at pool's edge, just inches from the nose of an enormous shark. Each week she waits until all of the other children have entered the water...and simply doesn't. Everything changes when a walrus named Walter appears. Despite his enormous size, Walter has a gentle temperament; he likes to sing, read books, take bubble baths, and play with Lottie. Even with her own personal walrus, she is most reluctant to return to the pool for a special party, for she just doesn't want to get into the water--or be eaten. Walter's familiar voice singing from deep under the water changes her mind. Images washed with a filmy haze bring the water and Walter to life. VERDICT A suggested general purchase for all libraries, this tale of courage found through strength from a friend, however imaginary, validates a child's feelings and may encourage discussion of personal fears.--Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX