Otto's Orange Day (Toon Books) (Hardcover)

by Jay Lynch (Author), Frank Cammuso (Author, Illustrator), Francoise Mouly (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3–Two veteran cartoonists collaborate to create a comic-strip-style book for beginning readers. Otto, an orange cat, receives a mysterious lamp from his aunt. While dusting it off, he releases the genie that resides within and is offered a wish as a reward. Otto declares that he would like everything in the world to be orange, his favorite color; however, after his wish is granted, the results–including a bad-tasting orange lamb chop and an orange-only traffic light that causes car accidents–soon cause him to have second thoughts. With the help of Aunt Sally Lee, Otto outsmarts the genie and sets things right. Each page features one to four panels, and the bulk of the story is told through dialogue balloons. The cartoons are lively and colorful. Clear chapter divisions, a clean graphic design, and large-size print make this title more appropriate for early readers than most comic-book offerings. Still, true beginners may have trouble with some of the vocabulary and struggle to follow the narrative flow. Offer this to book readers with a bit of experience under their belts and an interest in comics and cartoons.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
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Review
Francoise Mouly is known for all sorts of accomplishments; being the co-editor and publisher of the independent comics anthology RAW, a lengthy stint as the art director for The New Yorker, curator of art exhibits. I must admit, though, that when I hear her name one of the first things that leaps to mind for me is her work on the Little Lit series of books, taking both cartoonists and children's book creators and having them collaborate to create short stories using the comic book format but pushed through the children's book market. Now Mouly's done it again with her new line of TOON Books, creating children's books that are told using comic books' sequential art. When the end result is like Jay Lynch and Frank Cammuso's Otto's Orange Day, well, it's hard to believe that more people aren't doing just this.

Otto the Cat likes orange. Wait, that's not quite accurate. Otto the Cat loves orange! When Otto's Aunty Sally sends him a magic lamp containing a genie, Otto realizes that now his dream can come true. But an all-orange world isn't all Otto imagined -- and without a second wish to change things back, what can Otto do?

Lynch's story is aimed at readers in the 5 to 8 range, and I have to say that if I had a child that old I know what they'd be reading. I really appreciated that Lynch never talked down to his audience; while everything is spelled out for the reader carefully, it doesn't come across as condescending or patronizing. The story itself is fun and cute; Otto's song about all things orange made me laugh, and I absolutely love the scene when everything has become orange and Otto goes outside to see his creation. Each burst of excitement as he spies something newly orange, be it a duck or a clown, is pretty contagious. Lynch has a good handle on just how to write for kids, as well as any adults that might be looking over the kid's shoulder. What also impressed me, though, is how Lynch handled the ending. It's a combination of smart thinking on both Aunt Sally and Otto's parts, and it teaches something to kids without being cloying or over the top. For a book that's just 40 pages, I was impressed at how full this story felt.

Cammuso's art in his book Max Hamm was always a lot of fun, so it's no surprise to find that he's just as good in Otto's Orange Day. The book wouldn't have been half as effective without Cammuso drawing Otto's emotions so lovingly displayed. From Otto patting an orange garden gnome on a head or zooming by orange bees, to hiding behind a trash can in terror, you always know just how Otto's feeling. Otto seems to almost bounce across the page with energy here, and I can just see kids squirming with delight at the art. As a comic aimed at younger readers, Cammuso is careful to keep the storytelling very straightforward and easy to follow, which is exactly what is needed.

Otto's Orange Day is an absolute delight to read--I'm already planning on buying multiple copies for all of my friends' children. I must admit, though, that I'll probably keep one for myself. If Lynch and Cammuso ever want to collaborate on another children's book, I can promise them that I will be ready and waiting to buy a copy. Just one of the first three TOON Books offerings for this spring, I can't think of a better way to start a line. This is just fun from start to finish. --Greg McElhatton, Read About Comics

[starred review]
Written by '60s underground comic guru Lynch and Eisner-nominated Cammuso, who also did the artwork, this book in the new TOON imprint gives emerging readers a high-quality comic that is both loads of fun and easy to read. It's a simple, archetypal story: Otto, a little orange-loving cat, wishes 'everything was orange,' but when a genie grants his wish, he realizes that he should have been more careful what he wished for: orange lamb chops . . . 'Blaach!!!' This is a textbook example of how to use page composition, expanding panel size, color, and stylized figures to make sequential art fresh, energetic, and lively. With the particular pedigree of the book's creators, however, one can't help but miss avant-garde subversiveness that made Little Lit books (e.g., Strange Stories for Strange Kids, 2001) for older children so thrilling and unique. Even without that element, though, this book is sure to engage a new generation in the art form; kids will want to read it once, then return to it again and again. --Jesse Karp, Booklist

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Raw Junior, LLC (April 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979923824
• ISBN-13: 978-0979923821
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #151,142 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff!, April 11, 2008

By	Charles J. Conroy "Father Cat" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have had the privilege of seeing advance copies of all of the new Toon Book titles, and I must say they are exactly what I have been waiting for.My five year old son is fascinated by comics, but I've had a difficult time finding any that are age-appropriate. I've had to resort to ordering vintage comics from the 50s and 60s online.

"Otto's Orange Day" is great fun! Josh loves the colors, the internal rhymes, and the playful layouts. He feels that he's reading "grown-up" books. Already, he has remembered certain words and wants us to read it together every day.As a comic lover myself, I find that this book is fun for the both of us. Highly recommended! More, please!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect book for early readers, July 9, 2008

By	Saskia Leggett - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Otto's Orange Day" is a rare treat -- geared towards young readers, the book offers simple vocabulary and stunning graphics to keep kids engaged and, more importantly, pleased with their reading experience. I gave the book to my 7 year old cousin for his birthday, and he LOVED it -- the combo of comic book pleasure reading and fun, rhyming vocabulary was perfect for him. And, he completely understood the moral of the story. This book would be a fantastic gift for any young reader (and any parent yearning for beautiful presentation to accompany nightly readings).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GLOWING, inventive book!, July 9, 2008

By	Martha Kaelin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What strikes me most about this Toon title is the wonderful personality in its pages. The lively, believable characters come to life in the comic. My children love this book and it's difficult find books my children will actually ASK to read again and again. Our beautiful, orange novel is already showing some wear because of how frequently it is taken off the shelf-- I may have to order another!