I really believe that if one has a talent, it has to be put to use. Allumette is about the miseries of the third world, Otto is about the Shoah, about persecution, making friends, about acceptance of immigrants in a neighborhood, and things like this. I’ve always been busy against violence and injustice. Culture knows no breaches. Culture is something that can be shared by anyone. I’ve been very active promoting other artists. A lot of energies went to that. When I arrived in Ireland, I got death letters, menaces from French patriots calling me a “dirty German.” And I thought, “I must be.” But instead of ending up in jail, I’ve been covered with decorations. I’ve been collecting my medals without even asking for it. (http://bombmagazine.org/article/2359112/tomi-ungerer) Otto – The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear published in English for the first time by Phaidon. This childrens classsic is a powerful and beautiful book told first-hand by Otto, a German-born teddy bear who is separated from his Jewish owner, lives through World War II, and is reunited with his original owner 50 years later. This is an autobiographical tale of a teddy bear named Otto. Otto is a German-born teddy bear. His first memories are of being stitched together and being given to David, a Jewish boy living in Germany before WWII. David and his best-friend Oskar always play with Otto, using him for pranks, games and even teaching him to type on a typewriter. Life is a lot of fun for the Otto. However, one day, David starts to wear a yellow star on his jacket. He and his parents are soon carted away by men in leather coats and uniforms. David decides to give his dear teddy bear to Oskar.... Children will become attached to this loving, innocent protagonist, and will naturally be interested in his life story. Tomi Ungerer deals with one of the darkest chapters of history and pulls off the challenge admirably. This tale will prompt reflection and important questions without causing undue fear. (http://www.tomiungerer.com/work/books/otto/)