Otto and the secret light of Christmas

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Title:

Otto and the secret light of Christmas

Author:

Surojegin, Nora, author.

Uniform Title:

Untu ja sydäntalven salaisuus. English

ISBN:

9781782503231

Edition:

1st English ed.

Physical Description:

101 pages : colored illustrations ; 28 cm.

General Note:

First published in Finnish in 2010.

Subject Term:

Elves -- Fiction.

Winter -- Fiction.

Christmas stories.

Added Author:

Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin;

Timbers, Jill G.,

Summary:

One gloomy Finnish winter's day, Otto, an elfin adventurer, finds a postcard on the seashore showing pictures of beautiful sparkling lights in the night sky with the words, 'The light of Christmas!' Otto decides he must find this brightness. So, he heads north in search of the secret light of Christmas.

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Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Lake Elmo Library	J FICTION SUR	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

One day Otto, an elfin adventurer, finds a postcard on the seashore showing pictures of beautiful sparkling lights in the night sky with the words, 'The light of Christmas!' If this 'Christmas' can brighten even the gloomiest Finnish winter, Otto decides he must find it. So he heads north, trudging through dark forests and skiing towards the fells of Lapland, in search of the secret light of Christmas.

On his way he meets the mighty Kekri, king of the forest, Niiu, a beautiful leaf fairy, a hungry badger, a friendly bear and the infamous Ironworm. But will he ever find the mysterious light he's looking for, and will Christmas brighten Otto's winter?

In this charming storybook a mother and daughter team have painted a captivating picture of the landscape, wildlife and folklore of Finland. Otto and his friends are brought to life in sensitive, detailed illustrations on every page. Each chapter features a short new episode, making this book perfect for bedtime reading.

Author Notes

Nora Surojegin is a writer and graphic designer from Finland. Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin is a well-known Finnish illustrator, renowned for her delicate and precise illustration style.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 2-5-A bit elfin in appearance, Otto is a well-seasoned old traveler clad in a leather hat with two tiny, antlerlike horns that indicate his mood. He is also intrigued by a postcard that he finds washed up on the beach, picturing a sky full of stars and the message, "Wishing you light in the midst of winter, and a joy-filled Christmas season." But what is Christmas? Spurred by the promise of brightening the dismal winter season of his home on the coast of Finland, Otto sets off to find the answer to that question. His long journey takes him through forests and snowy terrains where he meets several fantastic creatures: Kekri, a woodland king who looks like a walking tree; brown and furry bottle-shaped creatures called "mupples"; camouflaging "lonttis" who adopt forms that allow them to blend into their surroundings; and other talking animals. It is through the hospitality of these new friends that Otto, and readers following this illustrated chapter book, will learn that the light of Christmas comes from those moments of goodwill and kindness. VERDICT Finnish culture and traditions woven into the story make for a fresh take on Christmas that can be read each day as the holiday approaches.-Joanna Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

A white, elflike man named Otto searches for a mysterious thing called Christmas in this illustrated novel first published in Finland.Otto finds a postcard on the beach with the words, Wishing you light in the midst of winter, and a joy-filled Christmas season. He doesnt know what Christmas means, but he would dearly love to have more light in the winter, so he sets out to the north on a classic quest journey. The text uses complex sentence structures, rich vocabulary, and excellent dramatic pacing, with a different imaginative encounter in each chapter. Otto meets all sorts of creatures that offer help and advice: Kekri, a mossy monster who is king of the forest, furry creatures called mupples, talking trees, leaf fairies, and a giant called Booming Burl. Otto also meets real animals, including a helpful bear and a talkative reindeer. Finally he meets Father Yule, who answers Ottos questions about Christmas and sends him home on the back of an owl. Father Yule tells Otto that Christmas means friends and happy memories and that these things brighten the darkness of winter. Full-color illustrations in a soft-focus, mysterious style are interspersed throughout the story, with lots of full-page illustrations as well as smaller ones. Every spread has some sort of illustration to help keep readers engaged. An intriguing read-aloud for younger children and an entertaining choice for independent readers who like fantasy.(Fiction. 5-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Kirkus Review

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