The book was not only signed but came with a lovely poster which contained Nicola’s beautiful illustrations and some of the other facts!!

A rhyming picture book about a little otter called Oliver – written by the bestselling Pam Ayres and illustrated by the award-winning Nicola O’Byrne. I inherited a love of English and writing from my mother. I loved writing from the time I could do it. Mum encouraged me and I got lots of praise. My writing usually finished up on the wall of the classroom, which made me want to do it even more. If you're coming to Coles by car, why not take advantage of the 2 hours free parking at Sainsbury's Pioneer Square - just follow the signs for Pioneer Square as you drive into Bicester and park in the multi-storey car park above the supermarket. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. You don't need to shop in Sainsbury's to get the free parking! Where to Find Us I’d like to be young and lustrous. I’d rather not look like such a craggy old bird. But there’s not much you can do about getting older.My mother went into domestic service at 14 and hated it. It was the only option open to her. She had been offered a scholarship to a good school. But her own mother was widowed, with five children, and couldn’t afford to equip my mum to go. It was sad for her. She was capable of a lot more, in my opinion. Whilst telling us a cute story, this gives us scientific facts (and proper names) about the otter and what they need from us to survive in this world, conserving the cleanliness of our waterways is a must. The children will be learning without even knowing. Almost a century after Henry Williamson’s classic story Tarka the Otter was published there’s a new glossy-furred mammal in the river, courtesy of the poet, comedian and songwriter Pam Ayres. It is not the first time she has highlighted her love of animals and her concern about impending environmental disaster: her 2018 adult picture book, The Last Hedgehog, brought to life the plight of our spiky friends. The thing I’m most scared of is losing my capabilities. I have one arthritic finger but I can write, draw, paint, play the piano, read music, sew, knit and garden. I’m afraid of succumbing to the diseases of old age, losing the ability to do those lovely things. I’ve been married to my husband for 40 years. The secret to a happy marriage? A good sense of humour.

and is lovely to read aloud. The illustrations by Nicola O'Byrne are just glorious, and the combination of poet and artist has produced a book any child, or adult who likes to read to others, would love to own. Ok, I'm old enough to know that Pam Ayres writes poetry and she recites those poems with gusto! I found it almost imossible not to read this with her voice in my thoughts! I also know that she is a passionate campaigner for our countryside and it's animals. This was read on ecopy via NetGalley.Oliver the otter is happy enough living alone, swimming or scampering along the twisty-rooted waterways. Until one day, among the green rushes, he meets an otter called Ottilie – and his life changes forever. Pam was awarded the MBE in 2004 for services to literature and entertainment, and lives in the Cotswolds. I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers. Children's, Teenage & educational / Social issues: environment & green issues (Children's / Teenage)

With gentle rhyme and beautifully rich illustrations, the writer’s love for otters shines through. This book is as much a call to young wildlife lovers to protect otters’ habitats, as it is a story about just one (very cute) otter. The underlying theme of conservation does not detract from what is ultimately a gentle and charming story about these beautiful creatures. Raff loved hearing about Oliver the Otters life on the river and the different animals within the same family! He loves facts and so was fascinated the entire time. It’s important to be yourself in life. Don’t think you have to adapt according to the people or situation you’re in. It’s perfectly all right to be exactly who you are, to like what you like. That’s a lesson it took me a long time to learn.Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Post As well as featuring stunning pictures by illustrator Nicola O'Byrne, the book issues an important plea to children to help look after waterways and free them from pollution. It is sure to delight children aged two to 10. Oliver, a solitary otter, enjoys swimming and scampering along the waterways. His life changes when he encounters an otter named Ottilie among the green rushes. Their bond grows into friendship and eventually parenthood, changing Oliver's once solitary existence. A heart-warming, rhyming story about a little otter called Oliver, written and read by bestselling poet Pam Ayres, author of The Last Hedgehog. Photograph: Clara Molden/Camera Press/Telegraph ‘My childhood was crowded and noisy and loving’: Pam Ayres. Oliver is an otter who lives along a mossy riverbank. Whether he’s using his special webbed feet to swim underwater, scuttling along the bank or meeting other animals, he mostly gets by alone. But one day, Oliver meets another otter called Ottilie and his future looks much less solitary…