Mr. Pig Live. . . with Otter!

It's not every day we have an INTERNET SENSATION in the Cottage! (That is, other than me, Mr. Pig.) Which is why I am so excited to introduce you to today's guest. . . OTTER! You probably know Otter from her hugely popular blog: I Am Otter: The Unheard Ramblings of a Modern Day Domestic Otter. But did you know she's also the star of an all-new picture book released just this week? It's called I AM OTTER and it was written with the help of Sam Garton.

Roll tape, please. . .



Marvelous! Let's get a shot of the book cover...

Great stuff. So, what is your full name?
My full name is Otter, Teddy’s full name is Teddy and Otter Keeper is Otter Keeper!

What one word best describes you?
Otter, because that’s who I am. Is this a trick question?

Do you have a belly button?
No, I don’t think so. I didn’t really know about them until you asked me this question, they sound like quite a lot of fun. I’m going to ask Otter Keeper how I’d go about acquiring one. In the meantime, I have a nose, will that do?

Sure. What is the best thing about being you?
Umm, the best thing about being me is that I have Otter keeper and Teddy as best friends. Also I get to do interviews which are really fun, that’s a really good thing about being me! I bet a lot of people aren’t doing a super-fun interview right now!

What is the worst thing about being you?
Having Teddy as a best friend! Although Teddy is fantastic, he gets me into quite a few unfortunate predicaments. My advice: If you want to stay out of trouble, it’s best to steer clear of Teddy.

I'll try to remember that. What is your idea of the perfect day?
There are two perfect days every week; Saturday and Sunday. They are perfect because Otter Keeper doesn’t have to go to work on those days and Teddy and I get to spend time with him.

What is your favorite word?
Toast.

What is your favorite sound?
The sound of the front door when Otter Keeper gets home from work.

What is your least favorite sound?
The sound of the door when Otter Keeper leaves for work.

Share one thing that most of our readers don’t know about you.
I’ve lost Otter Keeper's keys somewhere under the sofa this morning. No one knows about this yet, not even Otter Keeper.

Apart from Otter Keeper's keys, if a genie gave you one wish, what would you wish for?
More toys! Otter Keeper underestimates the amount of toys an Otter needs, and as a result we are lacking in this department. I also have to share the few toys I do have with Teddy, so you can see the problem here.

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
Toast! Toast is a very good breakfast option, but did you know you can also have it for lunch and dinner?

Now that you mention it, I do enjoy a nice toasted sourdough with a smear of blueberry jam with my tea in the afternoons. Last question, because I'm starting to get hungry. . . What was it like working with Sam Garton?
Oh him? Ummm he’s OK. Sometimes he moans a lot and he’s a bit of a perfectionist, but he’s generally pretty fun. He’s also pretty obsessed with Otters, although when he met a real one it bit him on the arm. I would never do that, biting isn’t nice.

Speaking of a bite, our caterer, the lovely and talented Nina from Mamabelly Lunches with Love has just arrived! While our producers roll the credits, Otter and I are going to scurry off to lunch! All this toast talk has me feeling rather peckish. You can meet us in the kitchen when you're done reading! Let's go, Otter!

Sam Garton began writing and illustrating stories about Otter and her world on the blog I Am Otter: The Unheard Ramblings of a Modern Day Domestic Otter in 2009. He lives in London. He met a real otter once. It bit him.

Learn more about Sam here:

Web: www.samgarton.co.uk
Twitter:@samuelgarton

I Am Otter
by Sam Garton
(Balzer + Bray/ April 29, 2014)
ISBN: 978-0062247759

 “A bright and hilarious escapade about an otter who, bored while her owner’s at work, opens a toast restaurant. Hysterical.”
— KIRKUS REVIEWS (STARRED REVIEW)