Book Review: Otto Has a Birthday Party
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What Parents Should Know
There is a worrying sexist aspect to the otherwise benign
story. All of the characters in the story are male dogs except
for one. The one is a female cat named Cool Kitty who is
dressed in a bikini. While apparently innocent in this context,
Cool Kitty could be seen as the preschool version of the bosomy
blond models who drape themselves over cars in automobile ads.
None of the other characters have names except for Otto and the
choice of ?Cool Kitty? as the one female?s name seems
gratuitously provocative. Small children will probably not pick
up on this aspect, but adults should be aware of it and point
out the discrepancy in an age-appropriate way.<p>Of
concern also is the choice of a party game. The group plays Pin
the Tail on the Cat, which is odd since Cool Kitty is a cat. If
there had been a tom cat at the party, would that have seemed
like a good idea?
Common Sense Media Review
Silly and light-hearted in many ways, the straightforward
story will entertain young children. The situation is similar
to the sort that young children create in their own imaginary
play and will hold appeal because of that. The illustrations
are brightly colored, outlined in black line, and have the
flat, one-dimensional look of a child's pencil and marker
drawing.
A negative aspect of the story, however, is the introduction of Cool Kitty at the birthday party. She is the only female character, the only cat at the party, and she is wearing a bikini. This character is created by an adult sensibility, not a child's. Young children do not put sex object characters in their imaginary stories. Cool Kitty is innocent looking in every way and the bikini is as silly as the other character's clothing, but there is a subtle, sexist message in this aspect of the story. Also, that the party game they play is called Pin the Tail on the Cat would have to be seen as offensive to the one feline guest at the party.
From the book:
Today is Otto's birthday, and he is going to make his
cake all by himself. Otto puts in a cup of flour, two shoes,
three bones, some pepperoni, a cootie bug, and a hot dog. He
spreads mud all over the top for frosting. Then he puts the
cake in the oven.
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