Jean Reidy has a half-dozen books under her belt and more underway, and I am especially pleased to announce her latest deal! PUP 681 came about when illustrator Ashley Crowley had a piece featuring an otter pup in his portfolio that grabbed the interest of editors—but no story to go with it. Ash had been intrigued by the story of an otter pup raised at Shedd Aquarium who was just 5 weeks old when she was rescued. She became a media sensation, and was named in a contest.

Jean took this story and ran with it, creating a text that is warm and snuggly but also full of interesting information about otters. I promise it will make you say "Awwwww!"

I collaborated with Ash's agent, Kirsten Hall of Catbird Productions, in putting a package together and sending it off, and Laura Godwin of Henry Holt has signed it up for publication in winter 2018.

Huge congratulations, Jean!

—Erin