Fern and Otto: A Story About Two Best Friends

Fern, a large brown bear, draws a quiet story about having lunch and a nap, but Otto, a small, adventure-loving tabby, finds it wanting, so the two set off into the forest in search of story fodder. Otto dismisses a race between a tortoise and a hare (“That doesn’t seem very fun to me”), and he’s not interested in the girl who offers them porridge (“Why were there so many bear things in that house?”). Every creature they meet, readers will quickly realize, is a character from a fairy tale, and the satisfaction of identifying them contributes to the story’s pleasure, if not to Otto’s literary sensibilities. Soon, Fern and Otto encounter a more intimidating fairy tale habitué (her gingerbread house is a giveaway), and Otto decides he’s had enough adventure for one day. A palette of soft greens and browns signals coziness and safety, and the forest brims with unexpected charms. Graegin (Little Fox in the Forest) uses delicate lines and soft colors to fill the spreads with domestic details, gently leading readers to the idea that contemplative, homey friends are wonderful to have around when the going gets rough. Ages 3–7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. [em](Sept.) [/em]