Otto the Book Bear

Otto the Book Bear

4.06 of 5 stars 4.06  ·  rating details  ·  800 ratings  ·  159 reviews

Otto lives in a book and is happiest when his story is being read. Otto is no ordinary storybook character: when no one is looking, he comes to life! Otto loves to walk off of his book's pages, but when his book is taken away while Otto is off exploring, the book bear sets off on a grand adventure to find a new home.

Except...it's an awfully big world for such a small bear...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published January 31st 2012 by Disney-Hyperion (first published August 1st 2011)
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Community Reviews

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Ann
A really sweet picture book about books, libraries and imagination. The text doesn't overwhelm the images, so children and parents could read this book together. This book would be of special interest to young readers who like to imagine they're miniature people or animals. Yes, this group exists. I meet them sometimes at the library reference desk. :)
Sydney
This book by Katie Cleminson is a story about a bear from a book. The bear comes to life when no one is around and goes on adventures. One day the Bear was left all alone and went off to find a new home. After searching all over and not finding the right place Otto finds a library where he meets other book characters like himself and finds his new home.

This is a great book and the illustrations are so good. The illustrations are very filled and show the little book bear in many different real l...more
Samantha  DuPree
Otto is a bear who lives in a book in a house and has a secret. He can come to life and leave his book when no one is looking. Otto loves to leave his book and explore the house but one day, when Otto is outside of his book, he gets left behind when his people move out of their house. Otto makes a plan, grabs his bag, and sets off to find his book. The outside world is cold, big, and scary and Otto is sad until he sees a bright building. He goes inside and finds hundreds of warm books. Otto eve...more
Hayley Zamzow
This captivating story, Ottp the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson is all about a bear within a book. He enjoys when his story is being read, but when it's not, he can explore outside of those pages. Unfortunately, his book gets left behind when the family he resides with moves. He decides to set off on a journey, which ends up at the library.

This book would be best suited for K-2 grade students, but I certainly enjoyed it at the age of 20.

Otto and his traveling is a sweet story with ups and downs. T...more
Cynthia ☮ ❤ ❀
Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson was one of four books that my daughter and I selected on our second trip to the library. The story centers around Otto who loves for his owners to read his book, but Otto's life is not limited to the pages of his story. Otto has the ability to leave the security of his book and explore the outside world. At first he limits his exploration to his owner's home, but when they move and leave his book behind Otto must go in search of a new life outside the pages...more
The Flooze
A book bear who doesn't always like being confined to his pages.

Though I like the concept and the illustrations (particularly those of the additional characters introduced toward the end), this didn't capture me the same way some other picture books do.

The main character is abandoned by his original owners/family which may prompt some sad little questions, but by the end he does find a place where he belongs and is appreciated.

There are several large illustrations where the tiny bear's placem...more
Angela
Best for kids ages 3 and up.
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Narrative Skills

From cover:
Once upon a time . . . Otto was a book bear.
Otto lives in a book and is the happiest when children are reading his story. But Otto has a secret: when no one is looking he comes to life! Otto loves to walk out of his pages and always has a wonderful time exploring the house - until one day when his book is taken away and Otto is left behind. Always ready for a grand adventure, Otto packs hi...more
Maria
Otto The Book Bear is a bout a bear that loves when his book is read. But in between readings he climbs out of his book and explores the house. When the family moves away and leaves his book behind, Otto goes on a bigger adventure.

I distinctly remember thinking that book characters must have some sort of life beyond the pages of their books. I would open my favorite picture books wondering if the story had changed since the last time I had read it. It's nice to see that I wasn't the only one who...more
Nielson
Otto lives in a book, and he is the happiest when people read his book. And Otto has a secret...he sneaks out of his book when no one is looking and explores, reads other stories, and practices his writing. Otto's life is turned upside down when one day the book is taken away and he is left behind. Ever the adventurer, Otto sets out to find a new home...but when things get cold, smoky, and lonely he doubts it will ever happen until he finds a place full of light and hope--the library!
Charming b...more
Kimberly Parrott
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 o...more
Barbara
Otto is a tiny brown bear that lives in a book. He loves when children are reading his book, and he delights in his secret ability to come to life and explore his surroundings when no one is looking. Sadly, he is left behind when his family moves, and he must find a new home. Not surprisingly, he finds a welcoming place at the local library after wandering through the city streets. Not only does he find another book bear there, but plenty of other new friends. This title's story and delightful i...more
Ariel Cummins
Otto lives in a book, but, when no one is looking, he comes to life. When his children abandon him and don’t read him any more, he strikes out on his own. But the world is just a little too big for him, until he finds a whole building full of other characters and books (the library of course!).

The illustrations are simple, with bold lines. Somehow, the blank backgrounds make it seem more like Otto is actually in the book (I mean, of course he's in the book!) That sounds weird, but it's an almos...more
Beverly
What I liked about this book: I LOVE this book. In fact, this might be my new favorite picture book. It's about a bear and a book - two of my favorite things. The illustrations are brilliant. They look like a combination of either pen and ink or water color. I wouldn't mind having them framed for my library walls. Young children will love the idea of a book character coming to life at night. The happy ending makes it an all around good read. This is an excellent read aloud. I will be ordering th...more
Samantha
Otto is a bear who lives in a picture book, but comes out at night to explore. When the family he's living with moves, he's left behind and he sets off to find a new home. At the library he finds his new home sweet home where friends abound and there are many many nightly adventures ahead of him.

Watercolor and ink drawings bring to life a bear that by story's end is as precious as Winnie the Pooh. This book has the makings of a storybook classic and it warms my heart that Otto finds his home at...more
Robin
This is the sweetest story! I love Otto and I want to take him home with me!
Mary
Otto the book bear is a character in a book who comes to life when no one is looking. One day, his book is transported away when his family moves. Otto is now on his own and must find a place to live. He does not like wandering the cities streets, but just when he feels to tired to walk anymore he sees a place full of hope. A good book with simple language and big print--great for storytime, but not one that will make kids laugh out loud. It celebrates a love of reading and good books. The water...more
Dolly
Mar 23, 2012 Dolly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: parents reading with their children
Shelves: 2012, childrens, library
This is such a sweet little story about a bear that lives in a book and loses his home, only to find another home (and lots of friends) at a library. The narrative is short, but engagin and the watercolor illustrations are simple, but effective at helping tell the story. This would be a great book to read at library storytime. Even though our girls are starting to grow out of this type of picture storybook, we all really liked it and enjoyed reading it together. (And any story that highlights th...more
Shelli
I loved the concept behind this book! Otto is a bear in a book who LOVES when he is being read about. However, when his book is sitting on the shelf at night Otto explores the house. One day he is left behind after the family moves and Otto went for an adventure outside in the city. This was not as good of an experience as Otto had hoped. Finally he comes across "a place full of light and hope." Any guess where that might be?? The library lover in me knew right away and had to read that perfect...more
Alice
I love that Otto lives in a book and when the library closes, he comes to life. But oh no! His books is discarded and he is left with a book. And he travels through the cold harsh world and he finds a building with the lights on, a library, and he discover another book bear, and all sorts of other creatures that live in books.
I like this book because of the imagination. I would love to think that when the library closes all the characters come to life...oh what a mess and a good time that would...more
Kris
Otto is a book bear, and he is exactly what we book lovers always believed in: a character who can come out of the book he's in. I love the clean, clear illustrations with all the white space, and of course, the fact that Otto ends up at the library playing with all the other book characters during the night and being happily read by children during the day delights me. Media specialists and children's librarians will get a kick out of sharing this and imagining who else might come out of books...more
Lindsay
I absolutely love this story! Otto the Bear is a character in a book who comes to life when no one is watching. He is also an aspiring writer. One day, while he's out and about, the book that he lives in disappears. He goes on a search for a new home, and he eventually comes across a special place full of other characters who also come to life.

We've added this book to our story time collection at the library, and I can't wait to use it for bilingual story time.

(I love the name Otto. That's my...more
Candice
Jul 27, 2012 Candice rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Sophie
Shelves: picture-books
Otto the bear lives in a book. He is happiest when children read his book, but he also has a special secret - he can step off the pages of the book and come to life. When the family moves and Otto and his book are left behind, he sets off on a new adventure that will warm anyone's heart. The illustrations are simple and softly colored. They look like they were done with colored pencils or crayons. Very enjoyable for even toddlers, as there are not many words on each page.
Tricia
Otto, poor Otto the book bear, wanders out from his book where he is a character to explore--and finds himself left behind as his book is removed from the house. Searching for a home out in the world, he becomes downhearted until he lands in the perfect place--a library. This is an adorable and imaginative story that older toddlers and younger preschoolers will enjoy over and over. I think it would nicely paired for storytime with the classic "Corduroy" by Freeman.
Elaine Bearden
pre-School to early K
Okay, so there is really not much of a plot here. But the story of a "book" bear who leaves his "book" at night and then gets left behind as his owners move. But what child wouldn't love to believe their favorite character in a book comes alive at night? The watercolor-looking artwork, outlined with heavier black lines is whimsical and charming. Plus, it is very pro-libraries. Would be interesting to share with kids at storytime.
Jackie
I am so happy this book is finally coming to America because it is completely enchanting. It is the tale of a storybook bear who is his happiest when children are reading his book, but sometimes, when no one is around to read, Otto comes to life and goes on adventures. Alas, during one of his trips, his book was given away. No liking being alone, he sets out to find company and a new home. This is such a magical story about the secret lives of books!
Laura
With big, clear, soft illustrations and words, Otto will pull readers into his journey and search for a new place to call home.

The world can make us feel so small and alone sometimes, but Otto’s story inspires readers of all ages to keep looking for that place “full of light and hope”.

(view spoiler)[The Library is my home away from home too, Otto! :) (hide spoiler)]

An adorable, warm hug filled with magic and hope!


4/19/12
Nicolette
This was an awesome book about a bear who could travel outside of the book the he was a picture in. One day he gets lost when the family moves out of the house while he is not in his book. He searches all around and finds that the world is a big place, but, he find a place that he fits in, the library! He realizes that he loves this place because there are other book creatures for him to play with and more children to read his book!
Katie Fitzgerald
Read at Pre-K Class Visit on 4/11/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Pre-K Class Visits on 4/12/12 and 4/13/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Pre-K/K Class Visit on 4/19/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Pre-K Class Visit on 5/4/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Kindergarten Class Visit on 9/12/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read during Pre-K Class Visit on 9/14/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read du...more
Mary
Otto the bear is a character in a book. He's most happy being read, but he also enjoys sneaking out of his book when nobody's looking and exploring. When he gets accidentally left behind when his readers move, he sets out to find a new place to explore. After wandering in the (too big) city for a while, he finds a haven (and more book characters to be friends with) in the library.
Tien Taylor
This is my daughter's first book. I'm happy it is because this is the cutest book I have ever read. Otto is a bear that lives in the pages of a book. When no one is around, he can leave the book and explore our world. I wish this book existed when I was a kid because I always believed that the illustrations in books were real. Highly recommended for children and adults.
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