Otto's ink-redible first day of school by Rory H. Mather & Rebel Challenger
Larrikin House publishers are committed to publishing... "quirky, edgy, original, funny, kid-focused books...and "engaging readers at an early age"...and they believe in fun. Otto's Ink-redible first day of school fits the bill on all of these counts. It also fits the bill on being a warm and helpful story to read when it comes to helping children face their fears (in this case-the first day of school) and helping children to recognise that fear can make you do embarrassing things like... release ink by mistake! It's always comforting to know that other people (in this case Otto the octopus) have similar fears to you. If you feel shy and you hope other people don't know and you don't want to give yourself away by blushing or something else embarrassing - so does Otto. Otto has an even worse problem than you because when he is scared and shy he releases ink and there is no hiding it! Poor Otto!
Toowoomba-based author, Rory H. Mather, is a best-selling author of over 15 picture books. Otto's Ink-redible first day of school, in Mather's signature style, is brimming with humour and heart. Otto's Ink-redible first day of school, follows a strong poetic rhythm. Each stanza follows the pattern A, B,C,B. Wonderful alliteration accompanies the verse..." Underneath the wobbly waves, hiding in his grotto, is where you'll find a smart and friendly Octopus named Otto." Of course he is hiding. He doesn't want to come out for fear of embarrassment. But he has to...it's the first day of school! He looks so worried! Otto has had ink accidents before. He overthinks, he gets to school, things happen, he learns and sometimes little accidents continue to happen. Children will learn some wonderful new sea related vocabulary...just a few words like "grotto" and "mollusc". They wiill read many different emotions on the faces of the characters. They will experience suspense and opportunities to predict the next word when pages are turned based on rhyme and storyline.
This book is set in the depths of the deep ocean where octopuses go to school. Brisbane-based author Rebel Challenger has created a wonderful underwater world for Otto complete with the real sea creatures that you might see - angler fish, wword fish, star fish, sea horses, rays, sharks and clams - they all display individual characters. Their emotions shine through in Challenger's drawings. Otto is full of personality and goes through a range of feelings that are clearly expressed on his face and in his behaviour. He does a lot of hiding. Eight tentacles are very helpful when it comes to self-expression! The characters are very sweet in all their busyness: swimming around, responding to Otto, purposefully and cheerfully carrying their school bags, wearing glasses and doing paperwork at their undersea school desks. Challenger has created a lot of fun for the young reader through the presentation of the cast of fishy characters who share Otto's first day at school. She says that her artwork is..."colourful, a bit silly and most of the characters... seem to be a bit confused and wondering how they got there..." This applies to the delightful characters in Otto's Ink-redible first day of school.
Otto's Ink-redible first day of school is a delightful story, populated with joyous sea creatures and sharing the message about not overthinking and worrying about being shy. Every pre-school setting and library could do with a copy or two for reading as children prepare for their transition to school. It is a fun and comforting shared reading experience for children, teachers and parents alike. Delightful!
Themes: Having courage, Resilience, Starting school, Friends, Shyness.
Wendy Jeffrey