"Otto an Pio" - a bookwrap

Unwrapping

OTTO AND PIO

authored and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc

* Age Range:  5-6

* Grade Level: K-3

* Hardcover

* Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press

* Pub. Date: March 19, 2019

* Language: English

Unwrapping some illustrations for you to enjoy

Unveiling the book

One morning while Otto the squirrel is leaving his home in the big old tree, in the very old forest, he stumbles upon a strange green ball.  He finds it rather odd, steps over it, and continues on with his day.  Hours later when he returns the ball it is still there.  Whatever can it be? 

 Later that afternoon the ball mysteriously cracks open and a weird furry creature's head emerges.  Curiosity overtakes Otto and out he goes to check on this new arrival.  

"MOMMY!" cried the little creature." No, no, no!" said the squirrel.   He is hopeful that the little thing's mother will surely come back and retrieve her baby.  Evening comes and the baby creature is still unclaimed.  This tugs at Otto's heart and he decides to bring the it inside his home and tomorrow he will go on a mission to find the absent mother.  He tucks the baby in his hammock and discovers the only word the little one can utter is "Pio!" so that becomes its name. 

In the morning Pio has grown exponentially larger.  Otto is more determined now to locate the missing parent and he begins hanging posters around the forest and visits other forest creatures to see if they have any knowledge of the abandoned green ball or might have seen who deposited the ball in his tree.  Unfortunately no luck!

More days pass and the critter grows and grows and grows... outgrowing the hammock and finally Otto's home.  Oh my whatever shall Otto do? He needs a solution to his huge problem but is there one?  Will the furry creature find its mother or will Otto be stuck with it forever? He stomps out of his home hoping to come up with an answer. But can he?  

The pencil-and-watercolour illustrations are detailed and beautifully done.  This heartwarming tale is about hospitality, inclusiveness, caring, friendship, adoption and family.  Love is on tap, and both Otto and Pio form a very special bond between the two.  I highly recommend this book. 

Storywrap Rating - 5 +++ HUGS!!!!!

Meet the author/illustrator

Marianne was born in Montreal, Quebec. As an only child, she would follow her parents on their outings and keep busy drawing for hours. While growing up, she drew and invented stories for her young cousins.

In 2006, she published her first book, The Sea, after studying graphic design at l'Université du Québec à Montréal. She has since been writing and illustrating children's books with publishers from many countries. Marianne's books include In Front of My House, which was nominated for the 2011 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, The Bus Ride, which received the 2015 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, Mr. Postmouse's Rounds, which won the 2016 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award for Children's Picture Books, The Animals' Ark and Lucy and Company.

Marianne lives in Montreal, where she shares her time between her work and her family, with great delight.

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