Otto: Autobiografia de un Osito de Peluche
This is the story of Otto, a German-born teddy bear who lives through World War II. Otto narrates his own story, portraying how he met, was separated from, and then was at last reunited years later with his owner, David, a survivor of the Holocaust. From the time of separation to reunion, Otto experiences violence, heroism, cruelty, and salvation. His tale also presents a circular story of human friendship that endures all obstacles. This is an excellent work for discussing themes of history, such as World War II and the Holocaust, friendship, and the importance of religious tolerance. The formally written Spanish matches the serious tone of the book, and a strong Spanish proficiency is necessary to understand the book’s plot. Be advised that some of the illustrations are potentially too graphic for younger children, and the content warrants a more mature audience that can be respectful and understanding of its profundity. Recommended.
Otto: Autobiografia de un Osito de Peluche. Tomi Ungerer. Barcelona, Spain: Ediciones B, 2011. Unpaged. (Hardcover). ISBN: 978-84-666-4870-7. Grades 1-4. Spanish.