Sharing the Wonders of Sea Otters with 'Swimming On Your Back'

The cover of the children's book, Swimming On Your Back.

NPS

Are you looking to share the wonderful world of sea otters with students or other children? Look no further! Swimming on Your Back is an educational package focused on the natural history and ecology of sea otters in Alaska. The package includes:

• A children’s book available digitally and in hardcopy, with engaging illustrations and scientifically accurate content.
• A recording of the song, “Swimming on Your Back.” Sing along to this otter-ly catchy tune using the lyrics in the book. Listen to the song using the audio player below.
• Thirteen coloring sheets based on the book’s illustrations.
• Background information about sea otters from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.

Now dive on in to learn all about sea otters!

• Swimming on Your Back

  
  

  Swimming on Your Back is a children’s song written by Jim Pfeiffenberger of the Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS / Jim Pfeiffenberger

  Audio Transcript

  Oh sea otter, swimming on your back Oh sea otter, you really know how to relax

  The water’s cold along the coast, but your fur coat keeps you warm as toast Oh sea otter, swimming on your back

  Born to swim in the ocean, you were born to splash and play Oh baby sea otter, stay with your mama all day

  She’ll feed you and she’ll take good care, she’ll even wash and dry your hair Baby sea otter, stay with your mama all day

  Oh sea otter, swimming on your back Oh sea otter, you really know how to relax

  The water’s cold along the coast, but your fur coat keeps you warm as toast Oh sea otter, swimming on your back

  Little sea otter, eating all day long Clams and mussels, abalone, the list goes on and on

  You eat until your belly’s full, then you lay back in your great big pool Little sea otter, eating all day long

  Oh sea otter your home is in the waves Diving rolling, doing the backstroke splashing all day Oh sea otter, the tide rolls out and in And you just lay there floating along with your great big otter grin

  Oh sea otter, swimming on your back Oh sea otter, you really know how to relax

  The water’s cold along the coast, but your fur coat keeps you warm as toast Oh sea otter, swimming on your back

  Little sea otter, how big and strong you’ve grown Now it’s time to leave your mama and strike out on your own

  You dive beneath the ocean swell because your mama taught you oh so well Little sea otter, how big and strong you’ve grown

  Oh sea otter, swimming on your back Oh sea otter, you really know how to relax

  The water’s cold along the coast, but your fur coat keeps you warm as toast Oh sea otter, swimming on your back

  The water’s cold along the coast, but your fur coat keeps you warm as toast Oh sea otter, swimming on your back

The Making of Swimming On Your Back

When learning in Alaska went virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim Pfeiffenberger, Education Coordinator at the Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center (OASLC), sprung to action. Jim recognized the diverse needs of students that may be learning in a classroom or at home, and with or without an internet connection. So he worked with otter experts and an illustrator to develop these new, portable educational materials and made them available in a variety of formats.

Jim received a regional Freeman Tilden Award for Swimming On Your Back. The Freeman Tilden Award recognizes excellence, achievement, and innovation in interpretation, education, and visitor engagement by a National Park Service employee. Congratulations, Jim!

To date, the OASLC has distributed nearly 400 copies of Swimming On Your Back to teachers and educators throughout the state. It has been so successful that we may even see a second book in the series sometime in the future. Stay tuned for updates!