OTTO AND THE STORY TREE

OTTO AND THE STORY TREE by Vivien Mildenberger

Everyone needs purpose in life. Everyone needs connection. OTTO is no different.

OTTO is a grumpy old stork. He would somewhat remind you of Dicken's Scrooge in his mannerisms. The thing is he's let everything in his life go because as he says, "what's the point?

One day he notices a little seed on the floor. For some reason, OTTO begins to tell the little seed about all the amazing things he's done and seen in his many years. The little seed begins to grow, and Otto lets it be. The sprout grows bigger and bigger until it is an enormous tree growing out of the roof of his house. The touching part of the book is the connection the tree helps to provide for Otto. Unbeknownst to him at first, little animals were settling into the branches of the tree to hear his stories. As he wraps up his story one night, a small voice comes down from a branch begging him not to stop, and so he continues. OTTO has found his purpose, and his connection.

This book is touchingly sweet. There are multiple ways to view this story. 1. The blessing of our elders and the benefit of them speaking into our lives with their knowledge, wisdom, and memories. 2. Realizing that no matter our age, everyone needs purpose and connection in life. It's how we are wired. It's important that we help that happen for our kids, teens, and ourselves in a variety of ways. A simple picture book has me evaluating things we have been a part of and asking myself about the value of their purpose and connection. You never know where a book will take you!

Also, I love the illustrations in this book. The grays, blacks, and dark blues at the start of the story evolve into pages with peach tones, light blue, and green punctuations. I love the swirly texture created by a variety of media that gives the text a deeper level of meaning.