Introduction

This story will gently lead our young readers to the understanding that thoughtful, warm friends are wonderful to have around when the going gets rough.  I’m quite certain your family will agree,  the best adventures are the ones you share with family and friends.

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 “A charming, fantastical twist on the backyard adventure.”— Booklist

FERN and OTTO
A Story About Two Best Friends

Stephanie Graegin – Author

Fern and Otto have a busy and full life together in a cozy seaside treehouse they share as best friends.

 

When Fern, a bear, tries to write and illustrate a book about their friendship,  Otto, a cat,  suggests they go searching for an exciting story in the forest.

They clearly have different ideas about what that means. Fern thinks they should stop and watch a race between a tortoise and a hare, but Otto worries a tortoise is too slow to be exciting. Fern thinks the three brothers talking about how to build a house is incredibly interesting, but Otto isn’t convinced. Along the way, the two friends meet a little girl in red who is off to visit her grandmother (and a wolf headed the same way!); a cranky girl complaining that her porridge isn’t the right temperature; and many others. But it’s not until they run into a big scary witch that they both can agree that this is not the kind of excitement they had in mind.  It’s all a “little too exciting for me,” Otto finally admits, “I really would love a story about two friends who live in a cozy house on a hill, far away from wolves and witches.”

 

 

 

 

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Signs of a good friend

Friends will come and go in your life. No matter how long your friendships last, the most important thing is your friend’s acceptance of you for who you are. A good friend shows that they care by their actions – big and small.

We are not getting to see our friends, but there are things we can do to stay connected.

  • Create a handmade postcard and send it to a special friend.

  • Draw a picture for a friend and quietly leave it at your friend’s front door.

  • Talk with your family about other ways you might be able to stay connected with your friend.