Otis & Peanut Forever and Ever
Naseem Hrab
NASEEM HRAB is a writer and storyteller, and the author of the Ira Crumb series, How to Party Like a Snail, Weekend Dad, and The Sour Cherry Tree, which was a Governor General’s Literary Awards winner. Her comedy writing has appeared on McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and The Rumpus. She loves improv and coffee ice cream. Naseem lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Kelly Collier
KELLY COLLIER was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto, Ontario, where she still lives with her husband and daughter. She has an identical twin sister and an older brother. As kids, Kelly and her sister drew all the time, mostly in an effort to "outdraw" their brother. Kelly studied illustration in college and is both the author and illustrator of the Steve the Horse series.
The Frog and Toad-style duo returns in a new series of stories about celebrating loved ones, past and present
Otis and Peanut are back! Grounded in the tender, supportive friendship between a long-haired guinea pig and a naked mole rat, the second book in this junior graphic novel series explores themes of celebrating life's simple pleasures, grief, and making new memories with sensitivity, humor, and optimism.
The three stories in this book reveal how the pair feel the loss of Pearl, Peanut’s sister and Otis’s friend. In “The Cake,” Peanut bakes a sweet treat for Otis using Pearl’s recipe and teaches him that there’s always a good reason to eat cake—even if it’s for no reason at all! In “The Dream,” Peanut is missing his sister, but finds a way to keep her memory close. And in “The Collection,” the two friends celebrate old memories, and make some new ones.
Author Naseem Hrab brings wit and lightness to challenging subject matter. The profound lessons she shares about missing someone you love while holding them in your heart will resonate with young readers. Poignant, funny, and sweeter than a slice of Pearl’s Strawberry Layer Cake, Otis & Peanut Forever and Ever is a treat to be enjoyed at any time.
Naseem Hrab, Kelly CollierSKU: OB400011n0nn1nWWW | ISBN: 9781771474979
"A consciously composed graphic novel that embraces joyful memories and deliciously sweet moments, and a worthwhile experience for all young readers."
- School Library Journal"A feel-good tale of pals bonding as they grapple with grief."
- Kirkus Reviews"There is a gentleness to Naseem Hrab's stories of Otis and Peanut that invites young readers to see their own lives within the stories of the guinea pig and the mole rat ... So, by nature of these stories, not only will they practise their reading and make connections between text and illustrations, they'll be making meaningful connections between the story and their own lives, learning about empathy, acceptance, cooperation and more." - CanLit for Little Canadians
"Whether readers have lost someone or have experienced an event that has upset them, such as moving or a friendship ending, Otis & Peanut: Forever and Ever will help readers process the loss and revisit memories while looking forward to making new memories with people familiar and new." - Canadian Review of Materials
"Shares the emotions of friendship and loss, while also leaving readers recognizing that our memories can hold both happy and sad moments in life."
- Sal's Fiction AddictionA Junior Library Guild selection, 2024
Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, 2025
Best Books for Kids & Teens (starred selection), 2024
Publication date
April 15, 2024
Number of pages
80
Interest age
From 6 to 8