Otto The Ornament: A Christmas Book for Kids

by Troy Cummings

Overview

A punny holiday tale about a snazzy and pizzazz-y Christmas ornament who tries to find the tree that's right for him—from the author of the New York Times bestselling Can I Be Your Dog? series.

Otto is an ornament. He's glittery, he's colorful, he's full of Christmas pizzazz! Otto wants to be at the top of the tree, not in the middle with all of the regular ornaments! Doesn't he deserve to shine at the top? Will Otto be able to find the tree he dreams of and learn about kindness and chosen family along the way? Full of Troy Cummings's clever puns, wordplay, and humor, wrapped up with a heartfelt message.

An original, comical, and festive tale from a New York Times bestselling author-illustrator that should be placed under every Christmas tree! Perfect for families, teachers, and librarians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593481202
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	09/05/2023
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 11.19(h) x 0.33(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

TROY CUMMINGS is the creator of the New York Times bestseller Can I Be Your Dog? and its companion picture book I Found a Kitty! He has written and illustrated a bunch of other books, including The Eensy Weensy Spider Freaks Out! (Big-Time!), Little Red Gliding Hood (written by Tara Lazar), Those Are Not My Underpants! (written by Melissa Martin), and the chapter book series The Notebook of Doom. He lives in Greencastle, Indiana, with his messy kids and neat cats.

Editorial Reviews

08/28/2023

A braggadocio Christmas ornament finds its branch in this tale of humility and holiday heart. It’s December 23, and all is calm and bright for a tree trimmed with well-loved treasures. But things shift into high gear when shiny new ornament Otto bursts out of a rush-delivery box ready to “BEDECK THE HECK OUT OF YOUR TREE!” Though the established ornaments extend Otto a warm welcome, the newcomer deems their offer of a spot on a middle branch a grave insult: “But a superstar like me belongs on the top of the tree.... I’m snazzy! I’m jazzy! I’m Christmas-pizzazzy!” When the ornaments demur, Otto’s quest to find a tree of his own turns into a journey of emotional generosity and literal self-reflection that leads him back to where he started—newly cracked, humbled, and smiling. Running throughout the playful prose is Cummings’s thorough accounting of seasonal exclamations (“Aw, chestnuts,” “O holy night”), while the digital art’s stylized, retro aesthetic provides both zingy and gentle notes. Ages 3–7. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

★ "A wonderful holiday story that highlights the importance of belonging rather than bravado." —School Library Journal, starred review

"This is a well-paced, appealing tale that will make for a great preschool read-aloud....An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story." —Kirkus Reviews

"Running throughout the playful prose is Cummings’s thorough accounting of seasonal exclamations, while the digital art’s stylized, retro aesthetic provides both zingy and gentle notes." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

★ 09/01/2023

PreS-Gr 5—With bright, exuberant illustrations, and an ornament named Otto as the main character—who goes from cocky to reflective over the course of a grand adventure—this story has charm, humor, delightful dialogue, and several important messages. Otto is a colorful, shiny, round ornament who believes he is so special that he deserves to be at the top of the Christmas tree. Upon his arrival, he gleefully shouts, "I'm here to bedeck the heck out of your tree!" Otto is warmly welcomed by the other ornaments and told he can hang in the middle of the tree. But he is outraged; he is a "superstar" and belongs at the top. Otto proceeds to belittle the other ornaments and stalks off to find the perfect tree for his brilliance. After trying a variety of trees in a hilarious sequence, Otto discovers an enormous, glowing tree and scrambles to the top. Once there, he realizes he is lonely. Then, he receives an electric shock and tumbles into the gutter. His beauty is destroyed. Finally, when Otto is at his lowest, he performs a heroic rescue, apologizes for his behavior, and reflects on the beauty of others. VERDICT A wonderful holiday story that highlights the importance of belonging rather than bravado.—Sally James

School Library Journal

2023-08-15
A glitzy ornament searches for a tree worthy of him but finds his real place where he least expects it.

“Merry Christmas, bulbs and baubles! I’m Otto! I’m here to bedeck the heck out of your tree!” And “bedeck the heck” he tries! When Otto is told there’s space for him in the middle of the tree, he scoffs—only the top will do for an ornament like him. After he mocks his fellow ornaments, they refuse to make room for him, so he heads out to look for a new place to shine. He takes a scarring tumble down into the sewer, where he encounters an unlikely precious item. Returning with his find, Otto no longer sparkles but still manages to shine at home on the tree. This is a well-paced, appealing tale that will make for a great preschool read-aloud come December. Arrogant Otto has a satisfying redemptive arc that will resonate with readers. The dialogue and wordplay are pitch-perfect, bringing the characters to life. A mix of cartoonish vignettes and full-page spreads effectively depicts action and movement. Otto is multicolored and patterned with big eyes and a winning grin; the other ornaments on the tree also have personalities that match their styles. The few humans who appear are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews