"'Keller's (The Scrambled States of America) latest offers lessons in the social graces, featuring Mr. Rabbit and his whiskery new neighbors, the otters. 'I don't know anything about otters,' the pink-eyed, pink-nosed protagonist agonizes. 'What if we don't get along?' At this, a bookish owl pops in from the margin with an apt take on the Golden Rule: 'Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you.' Hmmm...,' muses Mr. Rabbit, 'How would I like otters to treat me?' When he opines, 'I'd like otters to be polite,' a gray otter in polka-dot shorts demonstrates how to say 'please' in five languages (counting Pig Latin), then does the same for 'thank you' and the indispensable 'excuse me.' Later, the smiling otters 'co-otter-ate' and help friends move a heavy log. Even disagreements can be managed. Keller loads her acrylic-on-paper images with comical asides and tangential conversations, and goggle eyes, rubbery smiles and rounded teeth suggest her cast's goofball personalities; no mistaking them for Little Lord Fauntleroys. Without prescribing perfect etiquette, Keller serves up sound, friendly advice for maintaining a peaceable kingdom. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)' Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

In her smart, quirky style, Keller highlights how to be a good friend and neighbor, in this story about Mr. Rabbit and his new neighbors--otters. full color.