Otter Doesn't Know

Indigenous artist and storyteller Andrea Fritz tells a tale of a salmon and a sea otter who learn it's ok to say "I don't know" and to ask for help.

Thuqi' the sockeye salmon knows it's time to spawn, but she is lost in the Salish Sea and doesn't know the way to Sta'lo', the river. When she asks Tumus the sea otter for help, he doesn't exactly know either, and he dismisses her questions. But when Tumus becomes lost in some weeds, Thuqi' shows him that it's okay not to know something-you can still find a way to help a friend in need.

In this original story set in Coast Salish Traditional Territory, author and artist Andrea Fritz uses Indigenous storytelling techniques and art to share the culture and language of the Hul'q'umi'num'-speaking Peoples.
Key Selling Points

• Thuqi' the salmon's bravery and kindness help her find her way in this story about being comfortable not having all the answers.

• The text includes names and words in Hul'q'umi'num', an Indigenous language spoken on and around Vancouver Island, British Columbia. A glossary, pronunciation guide and introduction to Hul'q'umi'num' are included in the back matter.

• The illustrations follow the Coast Salish art tradition of combining four basic shapes in both positive and negative space.

• Author/illustrator Andrea Fritz studied with Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist and master carver Victor Newman. She shares Coast Salish stories, both traditional ones learned orally and new ones created from modern experience, with school children throughout British Columbia.
In this picture book featuring Coast Salish art and Traditional Storytelling techniques, a salmon and an otter learn to help each other even though they don't have all the answers.
Andrea Fritz is a Coast Salish artist and storyteller from the Lyackson First Nation of the Hul'q'umi'num'-speaking Peoples on the West Coast of Canada. She studied West Coast Native art with Victor Newman, a Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwak master artist. Andrea strives to express her People's history and all our futures through her art. She focuses on animals and places of the West Coast and our intricate relationships with them. Andrea works in the mediums of acrylic on canvas and wood, serigraph, vector art and multimedia. She has had numerous gallery shows and participates in community-based art pieces. Andrea lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Coast Salish Tales series shares the art, culture and language of the Hul'q'umi'num'-speaking Peoples. Using techniques from Traditional Oral Storytelling, artist and storyteller Andrea Fritz connects young readers to the animals, land and waters of the Coast Salish Traditional Territory.


You don't need to have all the answers to be a helper.
"A welcome contribution to the shelves of First Nations literature, as well as a starting point for learning more about Coast Salish art and traditional storytelling techniques."
"Fritz (Lyackson First Nation) has crafted a heartwarming tale that encourages readers to persevere despite uncertainty…A gem of Coast Salish storytelling"
"Deftly works cultural information into an entertaining read that young children will certainly enjoy…Otter Doesn't Know is not only a celebration of language and culture, it is also a fun and beautiful picture book that explores the evergreen themes of friendship and forgiveness. This is a strong first purchase for school and public libraries and would make a great read-aloud for children of many ages. Highly recommended."