Otto: The Autobiography of a Teddy BearTomi Ungerer

A powerful and beautiful book told first-hand by Otto, a German-born teddy bear who is separated from his Jewish owner, lives through World War II, and is reunited with his original owner 50 years later.

Specifications:

  • Format: Hardback
  • Size: 295 × 215 mm (11 5/8 × 8 1/2 in)
  • Pages: 36 pp
  • Illustrations: 0 illustrations
  • ISBN: 9780714857664

Tomi Ungerer (1931-2019) is a legend in the world of children’s books. Born in Strasbourg in 1931, Tomi landed in New York in 1956 with $60 in his pocket and with a suitcase full of drawings. Overnight he became a star as a caricaturist, illustrator, and children’s book author. He published more than 140 books for children and for adults in his prolific life. Tomi is a winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest achievable international award for children’s literature, and was named Ambassador for Childhood and Education by the Council of Europe in 2003. The Musée Tomi Ungerer, a museum devoted exclusively to his work, opened in 2007 in Strasbourg, France. Tomi passed away in 2019 but up until his death he continued to create new art every day, and write stories in three languages – English, French, and German!

"A powerful and beautiful book... Deals with one of the darkest chapters of history in a sensitive way as he experiences both human cruelty and kindness along the way... A deeply moving contribution to Holocaust literature for children, in which the world is seen through a very unusual pair of eyes. Otto is an endearing character that children (and adults) will warm to."—Outside In

"Maurice Sendak, a friend of Ungerer's, thought him the most original children's book writer of his time."—Sunday Telegraph

"So strong and graphically interesting...; It's art – illustration at the highest level."—The Times

"[A] style marked by great originality of illustrative technique, and a use of language that refused to patronise his young readers."—Dazed & Confused

"A powerful classic being published in English for the first time... Inspiring."—Junior

"Delightful and artistically nourishing."—New York Times

"Watch the children, the subversive is back."—New York Times