Otto and Pio

by Marianne Dubuc

Otto the squirrel is perfectly content living by himself in his treehouse in the forest, when a small creature, Pio, arrives on his doorstep, looking for his mother, and Otto invites him in. Pio eats all the hazelnuts, takes up the entire bed, and just gets bigger and bigger! Though Otto worries he may not be very good at caring for a little creature, Pio is very happy. Otto and Pio is a heartwarming tale about finding love and family when it is expected least and needed most.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Childrens, Nature, Family, Fiction

66 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Diplômée en design graphique à l'Université du Québec à Montréal, Marianne Dubuc est auteure et illustratrice. Elle a signé une demi-douzaine de livres jeunesse, notamment deux ouvrages publiés à la rentrée 2010, Devant ma maison et Un éléphant qui se balançait...

Reviews

[Mischenko]

Otto the squirrel lives by himself in his tidy little tree house, until one day an egg is found outside his door. He doesn't pay too much attention to it until it cracks open and a furry, white creature emerges. Where did this creature come from? Otto realizes he needs to find the creature's mother quickly, but no matter what he does, he can't seem to locate her. He decides to take the creature in and care for it, but things become increasingly difficult.

This is such a heartwarming story. Even though we couldn't figure out what this furry white creature named Pio was, it was fun for the kids to imagine. Otto shows such warmth and kindness, but questions how he can care for this creature who just keeps getting bigger and bigger. The ending is a reminder that home is where you hang your hat and that the definition of family is always love, regardless of who it is.

The artwork is simple, yet beautiful. We fell in love with all the illustrations. This is a perfect book for young readers and would be wonderful as a read-aloud in a group setting.

5*****

I's like to thank NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Jane]

I read and loved Marianne Dubuc's sweet and touching book Up the Mountain last year, so I went into Otto and Pio with pretty high (possibly too high) expectations. This one did not zing my heart in the same way.



That said, it's a fun little story about accepting change in life and making new friends. that I think many children will really enjoy. The illustrations aren't my favourite, but they're cute enough!

4 stars for Otto and Pio.

Thank you to NetGalley and Princeton Architectural Press for providing me with a DRC of this book.

[Roya]

خوشحالم که این کتاب کودک بامزه، منو نجات داد.
مرسی از پیشنهاد انسان‌های بامزه‌تر.🐈

[La Coccinelle]

This is a strange little story. But it's also quite cute. Otto is a squirrel who lives in a pretty fancy home in a big tree. One morning, he finds a strange green pod on his doorstep. Out of that pod hatches a furry white creature that says, "Pio!" It seems to grow in its sleep, and Otto sets out to find its mother before it can eat him out of house and home... or destroy his house (whichever comes first). But Pio is actually a pretty cool houseguest, making soup, cleaning up, and eventually saving his new friend from a very scary situation.

The illustrations are charming, and are quite fun to look at. I wondered if Pio was a baby yeti or something (he kind of looks like it), but I think part of the fun is not knowing exactly what he's supposed to be. It doesn't really matter, in any case, because he turns out to be a great friend. I liked seeing the different parts of the story--like Otto making his posters and plastering them everywhere--played out in the illustrations. Pio's decorating project was also pretty cute.

The writing was just okay for me. There were a few spots where it wasn't technically correct, which always bugs me in children's books. But the story is fairly solid.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this one. The story is good, and the illustrations are strong. Although we might not get the ending we thought we were going to, the one we do get is still nice. This book celebrates the power of friendships. Even unexpected ones.

Thank you to NetGalley and Princeton Architectural Press for providing a digital ARC.

[Ksenya]

Обожнюю стиль Маріанна Дюбук. Її «Лев і пташка» потрапив мені в саме серденько і, мабуть, є однією із улюблених книг сина. Історія білки Отто і каштанчика Піу теж класна, і за структурою дуже подібна, але все ж таки для мене трішки більш простіша. Дюбук дуже класно вигадує історії дружби протилежностей. А сторінки розвороти додають атмосферності.

[Abigail]

When Otto the squirrel finds a strange green ball on his doorstep one day, he ignores it, only to find that when it hatches, the furry little creature inside imprints upon him. Reluctantly taking the baby in, Otto sets out to find the mother of this quickly-growing creature. But as the days pass, and Pio continues to grow, it begins to look like the mother will not reappear. Will Otto abandon Pio, when the latter gets too big for his house? Or will Pio find a way to prove that their relationship has worth...?

Originally published in French as Je ne suis pas ta maman, this latest picture-book from French-Canadian author and artist Marianne Dubuc pairs a sweet story of adoption and/or friendship with lovely illustrations. I don't think that Otto and Pio is the equal of Up the Mountain Path , which was the last Dubuc title I read, but it is still engaging, and offers a new take on the classic "reluctant cross-species adoption" tale. Recommended to fans of the artist, and to anyone looking for gentle and quirky new picture-books.

[Tereza Eliášová]

Asi poslední letošní knížka, s Emou a z knihovny.
Roztomilý příběh, trochu písmenek, krásné obrázky, nad kterými si jde hodně povídat a rozvíjet příběh ještě o fous dál.
Od stejné autorky jsme četly taky asi slavnějšího Ptáčka a lva, ale tahle knížka Emu bavila o dost víc.
Textově mi přišlo, že to občas trochu drhlo. Je to knížka hlavně k předčítání a některé věty mi moc nešly přes pusu. Ale to trocha improvizace spraví 😀

[Carla]

This is a strange little story. Otto is a squirrel who lives alone in a pretty fancy home in a big tree. One morning, he finds a strange green pod on his doorstep. He tries to ignore it, but out of that pod hatches a furry white creature that says, "Pio!" Otto invites him in, but each day he heads off to try and find his mother. Everytime Otto returns home, Pio has grown until it seems he will either eat Otto out of house and home, or perhaps destroy the house. It turns out Pio is a pretty handy creature to have around.

The illustrations are cute and fun to look at. The characters are the main focus of the illustrations and are well drawn, showing expressions and feelings. We do not find out what kind of creature Pio is, but I am going with a yeti, when you read this book, let me know if you agree. I think part of the fun for children will be trying to figure out what he is, but it doesn't really matter. For me the idea of acceptance, sharing, helping another creature and friendship are the things that really matter in this book. Overall, I enjoyed this book, the story and illustrations are solid. The ending was not what I was expecting (I thought Squirrel would find his mother), but it was a good one that fit the story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Mathew]

Otto the squirrel wakes up one day to find a conker-like ball on the branch in front of his doorstep. Although he decides to leave this quizzical little item alone, in the hope that someone would reclaim it, he soon finds that it cracks open, egg-like, and a tiny-white-ape-like creature emerges and sees Otto as his mother.

Even Otto, who loves his personal space, cannot leave the little creature unattended and takes him in. However, as he provides food and shelter, Pio begins to grow and grow and grow until Otto's comfortable little world is thrown upside down with no sign of anyone coming to take the orphan away. Can they work something out or will tensions rise to the point of no return?

Dubuc is such a gifted storyteller and illustrator. With her pencil and watercolour scenes, she is able to capture and heighten pace and emotional moments so well. It's a lovely story about someone who has been used to surviving on their own, having to change to accommodate a new relationship. This takes time for Otto to realise but, at the end, he recognises that his life is all the richer for it.

[Cheryl]

Doesn't work for me, and my inner child doesn't want to speak up about it. I dunno. Too message-y or too sweet maybe? Or maybe I just cannot imagine adopting/ befriending a stray without getting the authorities involved? I mean, is Pio as sentient as Otto, or just bestial? He magically knows how to make soup, after all... so, I guess, no Social Services in the trees....

[Etienne]

Usually I prefer children book with moral or message in them. But this one is the perfect example of a book that is just good at being a book. A beautiful story with humor, friendship, a little adventure and every elements being done with perfection! Really good!

[Veronika Pizano]

Marianne Dubuc to fakt vie. Má detailné, ale pritom jednoduché kresby, ktoré deti upútajú. A príbehy majú hĺbku, malý konflikt, láskavosť a pointu. Úplne chápem Otta, že nechcel mať na krku malé (rastúce) chlpaté stvorenie, ale predsa len našli porozumenie, tak ako väčšina rodičov na konci dňa.

[Jennifer B.]

Another winner by Marianne Dubuc! With the same charming illustration style from the Mr. Postmouse series (minus the cutaways), a sweet story about love, acceptance, and what it is to be family.

[Amy Layton]

I love Marianne Dubuc so much--her narratives, her illustrations, they're just something to behold.  They're so homely, all about creating friends and families under unlikely circumstances, and Otto and Pio is no exception.  When Otto the squirrel finds a creature unlike any other, he adopts him, but only until the mother is found!  However, as Pio gets bigger and bigger, Otto isn't so sure he can just keep taking care of him...  Overall, this is just a great, homey and comfortable book that illuminates the beauty of found families and how two is better than one.  Great for grades K-3.

Review cross-listed here!

[Danielle]

The way Dubuc plays with scale and composition made me very happy, as did the way the story unfolds and the inclusion of hazelnuts.

[Lana]

This is a sweet story of an unlikely friendship that is created when Otto the squirrel finds an egg outside his home. When it hatches he finds a little fella that he names Pio. Otto feeds him and cares for the furry little friend, but quickly Pio outgrows Otto’s home so Otto tries to find Pio’s mother. I couldn’t figure out what type of animal Pio was, but the story and illustrations were very charming.
Thank you to Princeton Architectural Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy! It will feature on my blog Monday December 3, 2018.
www.colecampfireblog.com
LanaLCole@yahoo.com

[Rachel Aranda]

4.25 stars

This is a sweet book about how an unlikely family can form. It would have been nice to see the renovations to Otto’s home though.

[Alex Matzkeit]

Alles, was Marianne Dubuc (die ich von Briefträger Maus kenne) erzählt und illustriert, gewinnt schon mal durch ihren immer schönen aber nie zu niedlichen Stil. Aber auch die Geschichte einer typischen ungleichen Freundschaft, wie man sie in Kinderbüchern oft findet, ist schön erzählt. Das Eichhörnchen wird gleich zu Anfang als "nicht neugierig" klassifiziert, und steigt deswegen über das Paket vor seiner Tür hinweg. Das Fellbündel ist groß und ungeschickt und macht alles kaputt. Aber beide Figuren werden nie auf diese Eigenschaften reduziert, wie es sonst gerne gemacht wird. Sie besitzen beide einen hochanständigen Kern, kümmern sich um den anderen wann immer es geht und handeln aus unterstützenswerten Motiven. Das macht die erwartbare Freundschaft und Wohngemeinschaft am Ende des Buchs - und auch die Rettung des Eichhörnchens durch das Fellbündel - zu einem Ergebnis, das sich beide verdient haben, weil sie eigentlich von Anfang an füreinander da waren, und nicht zu einer übergestülpten Kinderbuch-Moral.

Addendum: Durch die anderen Kritiken hier sehe ich, dass "Piep" im Original "Pio" heißt. Die Übersetzung erschließt sich mir nicht.

[Ryan]

A small furry creature in a green pod is left at the door of a squirrel named Otto. This creature is named Pio and every night he doubles in size. Can Otto and Pio find a happily ever after? This story isn’t bad but I really don’t like how Otto seems to be more concerned about his broken things, or the inconveniences in his life. Yes he actively looks for Pio’s parents, but he doesn’t seem to appreciate what Pio does until there is a near disaster. It may be close to life, but I think the message is too much of a downer for me to use in any activity.

[Izabelle]

Utanför Ottos dörr ligger det plötsligt ett grönt klot med gröna taggar. Otto tänker inte så mycket mer än att det är konstigt att klotet ligger just vid hans dör, och vart kom det ifrån egentligen? Nästa dag har klotet spruckit och en fluffig vit varelse med mycket hår sticker upp huvudet.
Pälsvarelsen tror att Otto är hens mamma men så är det ju inte!

Otto ger sig ut för att leta efter varelsens mamma. Men det verkar vara lättare sagt än gjort...

En gullig bilderbok om att familj inte alltid behöver handla om blodsband, man kan välja sin egen familj.

[KC]

An unlikely friendship gets a bit challenging.

[Jess]

May 2019 - I love the combination of gentle illustrations and slightly bizarre happenings. It was lots of fun to see Ben's reactions to Pio's growth!

[Вика Медведь]

<3

[Ellie L]

Otto and Pio is a delightful story of accepting the need for love and friendship and realising that we do not have the power to overcome everything alone. When an odd little ball appears on the doorstep to Otto's home, he choses to ignore it and carry on with the day as planned. However, the little ball turns out to actually be an egg, containing a fury creature- who immediately deidedes that Otto must be mother! Taking the creature in, Otto tries to find everyway he can to locate their real parents and them off his hands. All the while, the animal continues to grow and eventually take over the whole house... how will Otto get away from these unwanted responsibilities?
Very clever use of sizing to demonstrate the growth of Pio, who appears to almost drown Otto in white fur on one paticularly funny page. I would like to think that the sizing perhaps linsk to the growing feelings and love the Otto begins to feel for the animal. Not something that he is accustomed to, and which totally overwhelms the comfortable order that he had been living in prior to Pio's arrival. I particularly loved the line, "I was find on my own!", said by Otto as he walks off in a huff. What an interesting concept- is it safer and easier for Otto to just live in solitude, or more fulfilling and unpredictable to have the company of someone else. This is relatable on many levels during the ups and downs of friendships, and provides some lovely opportunities for children to think about understanding how to negotiate their own feelings when letting someone new into their life and into their heart.

[Rebekah]

When Otto leaves his house one morning, he discovers a conker-like ball on the branch, but it’s not until it hatches, and Pio appears, that things start to change for Otto. We never find out what Pio actually is, but that doesn’t matter because the message of the story still carries, sometimes you find friends when you least expect it. Pio may not have been what Otto wanted, but maybe Pio was what Otto needed.

I love that Pio is a character of very limited vocabulary. He only seems to know the word “Pio”, but that doesn’t stop it communicating with Otto, if anything the gestures seem more meaningful in the absence of words. Pio has this innocence about him and even when Otto is getting frustrated, we long for him to see Pio as we do, someone that isn’t malicious at all and someone that just wants to be kind. I would love for someone to make me soup, chopping up onions can be painful, so when Otto starts to realise that he actually does like Pio’s soup I can’t help but smile.

Dubuc’s stories have this way of leaving you with a quiet sense of joy. As with Up the Mountain and The Lion and the Bird, we get to see the most unlikely of friendships form in ways that even the characters don’t expect. They’re a pleasure to read in a world where the friends we make, and the lessons they teach us, are sometimes undervalued.

[Jonathan Jones]

Otto and Pio is brilliant when a conker shell looking egg lands in front of Otto's tree house he simply wants nothing to do with it but Otto quickly realises what a joy it is to have Pio in his life and after Pio saves Otto's life they decide to live together indefinitely. I probably wouldn't read this with children that have been recently adopted or have absent parents since this may bring back memories of abandonment, however the happy ending and hopeful future would instil hope for those children. Marianne Dubac is starting to become one of my favourite authors as her books have a heartwarming message as well as cross-curricular links!

[Cristina Di Matteo]

Il libro Otto and Pio di Marianne Dubuc è un albo illustrato tenero e delicato che racconta l’incontro tra due personaggi molto diversi e il legame che nasce tra loro. Con illustrazioni morbide e una narrazione semplice, il libro parla di amicizia e accoglienza. Nel complesso è una lettura dolce e rassicurante, perfetta per i più piccoli.

[BrookesEducationLibrarian]

Beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story with heaps of imagination. I'd like a little creature that cleans my house and makes me soup!

[Maryam]

فوق العاده دوست داشتنی با تصویرگری های جذاب
خیلی دوسش داشتم خیلی

[Gita]

داستان و تصاویر قشنگی دارد.