Otto the Bear is the favourite storybook character of the family. Little do they know that, in the dead of night or whenever they are away, Otto crawls out of his book and comes to life! From exploring his favourite parts of the house, writing stories on the family typewriter to playing with the children’s toys, Otto is fascinated by his family. That is, until the family move away and forget to take Otto with them!This is a wonderful book that really engages children in reading. The device of a book character coming to life, in this case a miniature book bear, draws children in to the magic and fantasy of make believe worlds. Otto, alone in the big world, is a character young children can empathise with – without the security of home and the family he needs to negotiate his way through new challenges and obstacles.This book could work really well for a creative writing exercise in Year 2, possibly even Year 1. Children could be asked to imagine their favourite book character coming to life and create a narrative around it – what would they get up to if they became real, for example.Having read this to Year 1’s, it works perfectly as a way of advocating and ‘selling’ the excitement of reading to young and emerging readers. Otto was an adorable bear, who makes you feel for him while he is on his adventure. Otto was a special book bear who could climb out of his book when no one was looking! One day he climbed out and unknowingly got separated from his book when the truck left with the removals. He was left alone in the city where he was unwelcome and unwanted. He traveled everywhere but, no place seemed like home. As he wandered he came across a large library in the middle of the city where he found tons and tons of books he could read! He found other book creatures who liked to practice writing, read his books, and explore other books as well!This adventurous bear shows children how to love reading and the adventures they can go on if they read!
What do You think about Otto, Der Bücherbär (2012)?
Quiet, old-fashioned story about a "book bear" who discovers a herd of new friends in the library.
—Sheepie
An incredibly sweet and charming, refreshingly imaginative book.
—jimphilip
Fantastic and sweet. Destined to become a classic.
—michi
