Otto and the Story Tree written and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger - OPTIONAL

Otto and the Story Tree written and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger. PICTURE BOOK. Random House Children's Books (Penguin Random House), 2025. $19. 9780593710784

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Otto is an old grumpy bird who lives alone in his house in the dust and dark because he doesn’t see the point in living otherwise. One day, an extraneous seed from one of his meals starts to take root and he begins to tell fantastical stories. Eventually, it grows into a magnificent tree that soon is home to dozens of creatures that love listening to his stories and Otto is no longer alone in the dust and dark.

I didn’t fully connect with the story, and I think young readers will also struggle. Otto isn’t a very likable character. The only interesting part of the book was when Otto would start each one of his stories at night, but you only get a snippet of the story before it moves on. The illustrations are vague and muddy, not adding much to the story. This is one that I would probably pass on purchasing.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes