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Otto usually lives as an illustration of a book, but when no one is looking, he comes to life.
All is usually well when Otto explores the house—he can read other books, poke about the house and even type out a story on the typewriter. But when the bookshelf is cleared and the books placed in boxes ominously marked “ship to,” little Otto is separated from his book and must go out into the world alone. Drawing with ink-filled pipettes and watercolor against extensive white space, Cleminson’s emotional illustrations show just how lonely and tiny Otto is out in the world. On the inside, he is a comfortable, confident size, but out in the world, he is nearly lost in urban hubbub. Young readers will enjoy locating the tiny Otto and will identify with his fear and worry, especially when he is forced to take refuge in the darkness of a coffee cup, alongside an apple core. It’s only when he finds himself with books again, in the library, that Otto feels truly at home, with other “book creatures just like him.”
Book creatures of all ages will love Otto and will enjoy wondering if any other of their books’ characters have a secret life. A delight. (Picture book. 4-8)
