Otto and the Flying Orca

Description

Inspired by a real commercial seaplane in the Pacific Northwest, Otto and the Flying Orca is a sweet tale of unlikely friendship and finding acceptance. Otto the little orca whale is excited to make a new friend in the sky: a flying whale named Zoom! But when Otto tells his family about Zoom, they don't understand why he would want to be friends with someone so different. Zoom doesn't look like a real orca, and he doesn't sound like one either. As salmon become scarcer, though, Zoom's friendship might just be what Otto and his family need. Including fun facts about orcas and the real-life seaplane that inspired Zoom, Otto and the Flying Orca captures the curiosity and joy of unexpected friendships.

Nora Nickum is a children's book author, ocean policy manager at the Seattle Aquarium, and former consultant project manager for the Governor's Orca Task Force. She lives in Washington. Bao Luu is a children's book illustrator specializing in watercolor and digital art. Born and raised in Vietnam, Bao knew he wanted to become an artist since he was a child. He draws inspiration from cartoons and manga, and is passionate about the environment. He currently lives in Houston, Texas.

"West Margin breaches into spring with Otto and the Flying Orca by Nora Nickum, illus. by Bao Luu, in which a seaplane painted to look like an orca helps Otto the orca and his family find salmon to eat." -Publishers Weekly, Spring 2023 Children's Sneak Previews