Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Otto-the young rhino from No!, Why?, and other picture books-brings his enthusiastic attitude to Christmas, and his parents are just about at wit's end as he over-decorates cookies, sends the tree crashing to the ground, showers presents with pellets from his beanbag chair in an attempt to approximate snow, and mixes up the tags on the gifts. Warnes's bold cartoons make Otto's pratfalls feel larger-than-life, and many families will recognize the rhino's inexhaustible, holiday-fueled energy and the toll that it takes on his parents and grandparents. It's a light and breezy tale that concludes with a helpful reminder that even when things don't go as planned at Christmas, they generally work out in the end. Ages 3-6. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Otto, a young rhinoceros, and his family are getting ready for Christmas. But nothing is "Christmassy enough" for Otto. In his effort to fix things, he wreaks havoc. Otto over decorates the cookies, knocks over the tree, and accidentally mixes up all the gift tags on the presents. Despite all the missteps, the family sets everything right, and they have the most "Christmassy Christmas ever!" While the story line is familiar, the illustrations are done in warm colors, so the emotions of the characters leap off the page. Readers will think the rhinoceros family is adorable and relate to Otto's enthusiasm. VERDICT A great addition to any holiday collection.-Sara Rebman, Los Angeles Public Library © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Otto wants to ramp up the Christmas traditions in his household, but he makes several messes and mixes up the gifts. His somewhat implausibly patient family laughs along, and Mom fixes everything to make it "the most Christmassy Christmas EVER!" The illustrations of the rhinoceros family are filled with cheerful Christmas imagery and depictions of Otto's eagerness. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A young rhinoceros named Otto prepares for Christmas with his family, getting into mischief by trying to make everything extra "Christmassy." In this fifth adventure about obstreperous Otto, he is excited to participate in all the Christmas preparations at his house. He enjoys baking cookies, decorating the tree, and creating his own special Christmas sweater. At every turn, Otto takes things over the top, adding more frosting and sprinkles to his cookies, putting extra ornaments on the tree, and making a reindeer face with extra-long antlers to attach to his sweater. After Otto knocks over the tree, his mom stations him at the window on a big pillow to watch for snow. The pillow rips open, covering everything in the room with tiny, white pellets, "snow" in Otto's opinion. During the cleanup process, Otto switches the tags on the Christmas packages, leading to humorous mix-ups on Christmas morning. The presents are sorted out, and the whole family goes out into the snow so Otto can use his new sled. The simple plot has just the right amount of excitement, minor conflict, and satisfying resolution to appeal to younger preschoolers who are beginning to listen to longer stories. Large-format illustrations help create appealing personalities for the rhinoceros family, charming in their detailed Christmas sweaters. An amusing story that captures the intensity of the Christmas season from a little one's perspective. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
