Otto Grows Down has wiggled its way right in to my heart. I have been loving on this book ever since I opened the front cover. I can’t keep it to myself any longer (big sigh) I think I will have to buy my own copy because this one has always been destined for a giveaway. Yeah for everyone else (see below for details on how to enter)! Children will love this humorous tale and beg for more. I can hardly wait to see what Sussman writes next!
How did Otto wiggle his way right into my heart? Well, first off, the mesmerizing illustrations remind me in a way of some of David Shannon’s work! (and I love David Shannon). Also, Otto Grows Down is a captivating tale of the consequences of our innermost selfish wishes. Otto’s childish innocence speaks right to that part inside me (and probably you too) that sometimes threatens to get in the way of peaceful family relationships. As many of you know, we at Bookscoops have added two (in Jen Robinson’s words) little ‘bookworms’ to our family this year. Which puts me in the perfect position to love Otto, having observed some of his characteristics in my very own children recently. I am happy to highly recommend Otto Grows Down as a great book to help with the new baby blues transition for older siblings. My four year old now emphatically says, “I do NOT want to take our baby back to the hospital!”
So, enough with the commentary, you want details, right?
Otto is a sweet little boy who has a new baby sister and on his 6th birthday, when he blows out the candles, he wishes that his sister had never been born. When he opens his eyes, his wish begins to come true, with unexpected consequences. Time begins to go backwards and Otto relives his life in reverse as he takes his baby sister back to the hospital, spits out his food at the dinner table, and slides up and climbs down all the playground equipment at school. Day after day, year after year, until Otto almost isn’t Otto anymore.
Hands down, my favorite line, and illustration?
“And going to the bathroom was downright disgusting.”
We laughed and laughed over this one at our house. Then we shared this book with everyone who visited and laughed and laughed some more. Otto Grows down will appeal to kids and adults of all ages. If you would like a chance to win this book, please enter the giveaway below. If you would like a chance to buy this book, it is available pretty much everywhere now, and is the perfect gift for a new older sibling. If I could go back in time, I would have given it to my older sister when I was born. No offense Cari, but maybe it would have saved me a special haircut or two.
Book Giveaway Details:
Bookscoops is giving away one hardback copy of Otto Grows Down, courtesy of Joanna Stampfel-Volpe at Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation, to one lucky winner. You may enter the giveaway by linking to this post, commenting on this post, sharing a tip of how to help kids adjust to new siblings, or a funny anecdote about new baby growing pains. Comments will close for the giveaway at midnight MST on August 26, 2010. I will be happy to ship the book to any winner within the continental United States. Thanks and happy commenting!
Check out Michael Sussman’s website and Scott Magoon’s for more information on their fantastic contributions to children’s literature.
This book sounds perfect for my two who will soon be adding a baby brother. The best thing we did when #2 arrived was to have her bring big brother a present, and then he and dad went shopping together for a present for her.
This book sounds perfect for my two who will soon be adding a baby brother. The best thing we did when #2 arrived was to have her bring big brother a present, and then he and dad went shopping together for a present for her.
We would love to own this one! Thanks for the chance to win! Time travel for the toddler crowd – how great is that. We have sibling number six coming along in December (trying to catch up to your family 🙂 ) Would be great timing to share this one methinks.
Thanks for highlighting, Sistersbookscoops!
We would love to own this one! Thanks for the chance to win! Time travel for the toddler crowd – how great is that. We have sibling number six coming along in December (trying to catch up to your family 🙂 ) Would be great timing to share this one methinks.
Thanks for highlighting, Sistersbookscoops!
We’re expecting baby #3 and I think this would be perfect for my 3 year old! It sounds like such a fun and helpful book. Can’t wait to read it! Thanks!!
We’re expecting baby #3 and I think this would be perfect for my 3 year old! It sounds like such a fun and helpful book. Can’t wait to read it! Thanks!!
Sounds like a winner. I am sure my girls would like your favorite part a lot. Thanks for the reviews!
Sounds like a winner. I am sure my girls would like your favorite part a lot. Thanks for the reviews!
So glad you like OTTO!
Yes, Scott’s illustrations are brilliant.
Everyone seems to love that bathroom scene. Believe it or not, one editor (who ultimately decided not to publish the story) wanted me to remove that line!
So glad you like OTTO!
Yes, Scott’s illustrations are brilliant.
Everyone seems to love that bathroom scene. Believe it or not, one editor (who ultimately decided not to publish the story) wanted me to remove that line!
Eden- congrats on your coming little one- we hope he’ll be a future bookworm too! Maybe you can do a little book shopping for gifts this time 😉
AZ- I can only imagine what Gracie might say… I’d love to be there when you all read this one. Congratulations on number six and best wishes for a smooth transition.
Rae- I’m sure your 3 year old would definitely love this book. If it weren’t for the chance to buy cute baby clothes, I would probably just stock up on this book to always have handy for baby showers.
Tara- Yes, it is a winner. I know your girls would want this book.
Michael Sussman- It sounds like you probably have a great path to publication story on this one. I bet that editor is wishing they hadn’t turned you down. Thanks for stopping by!
Eden- congrats on your coming little one- we hope he’ll be a future bookworm too! Maybe you can do a little book shopping for gifts this time 😉
AZ- I can only imagine what Gracie might say… I’d love to be there when you all read this one. Congratulations on number six and best wishes for a smooth transition.
Rae- I’m sure your 3 year old would definitely love this book. If it weren’t for the chance to buy cute baby clothes, I would probably just stock up on this book to always have handy for baby showers.
Tara- Yes, it is a winner. I know your girls would want this book.
Michael Sussman- It sounds like you probably have a great path to publication story on this one. I bet that editor is wishing they hadn’t turned you down. Thanks for stopping by!
Can’t wait to read this book! Although we usually had the opposite problem at our house–our babies were given too much ‘love’. One day I checked in on my sleeping newborn and she was covered in a pile of blankets and teddy bears! Big sister had been taking care of her!
Can’t wait to read this book! Although we usually had the opposite problem at our house–our babies were given too much ‘love’. One day I checked in on my sleeping newborn and she was covered in a pile of blankets and teddy bears! Big sister had been taking care of her!
I LOVE this book and would love to win a copy! My kids laugh hysterically during the bathroom scene, soooo glad it wasn’t taken out. Thanks for the chance!
I LOVE this book and would love to win a copy! My kids laugh hysterically during the bathroom scene, soooo glad it wasn’t taken out. Thanks for the chance!
Sounds like a really fun book that deals with a really common issue. We hope to be adding to our family once our baby is a little older and this sounds perfect!
Sounds like a really fun book that deals with a really common issue. We hope to be adding to our family once our baby is a little older and this sounds perfect!
Sounds like such a cute book! My little 3 year old hasn’t wished her younger siblings away, but I’m sure there has been many times when she has come close to it. Especially when baby brother and sister discovered the power button to the TV while she is watching her favorite show. You know what I’m talking about. 🙂
Sounds like such a cute book! My little 3 year old hasn’t wished her younger siblings away, but I’m sure there has been many times when she has come close to it. Especially when baby brother and sister discovered the power button to the TV while she is watching her favorite show. You know what I’m talking about. 🙂
I think this would be a great book for my 5 year old. We are having some issues, but she always loved new books.
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I think this would be a great book for my 5 year old. We are having some issues, but she always loved new books.
ape2016(at)aol(dot)com
This book looks like so much fun! To help our girl adjust to her new brother we did lots of dates with mom. I think it helped! Can’t wait to read this!
This book looks like so much fun! To help our girl adjust to her new brother we did lots of dates with mom. I think it helped! Can’t wait to read this!
I can’t wait to read the book and see the illustrations. Your review definitely caught my attention. I do remember when I was a young girl. My brother and I sneaked out the window because we were trying to ditch our youngest sister who was frequently shadowing us.
I can’t wait to read the book and see the illustrations. Your review definitely caught my attention. I do remember when I was a young girl. My brother and I sneaked out the window because we were trying to ditch our youngest sister who was frequently shadowing us.
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