Otto and the Angry Donga is a children’s concept picture book written by Jane Komussar and illustrated by Karel Korp. Otto and his mum had happy lives and shared a cozy home in England, but sometimes Otto was sad. He would get mad at other times, and he’d pick fights with other kids in school, shout and slam doors, and generally make life awful for everyone around him -- as well as himself.

Otto’s dad had vanished one day before all this began. Otto’s mom knew how confused and upset her son was at losing his dad. Was this why he got so angry? One day, something strange happened. Otto got so angry that a fireball burst out of the palm of his hand. He was amazed to see it and watched as it flew up into the air and then returned to earth. When Otto told his mom what happened, she wondered what had made him that angry. Then his mom had an idea. She knew that getting mad or upset was something everyone experienced. She suggested Otto draw a picture of his anger, of the angry fireball, and to name it. Maybe he could learn about his anger this way

Jane Komussar’s Otto and the Angry Donga shows kids that strong feelings, like anger, are something we all have at some point in our lives, and, through Otto’s experiences, they learn how to master and control those feelings. I loved seeing how Otto’s mom works with him to picture and name his anger, and then has him get his teacher involved in the process. Watching as Otto sees the effect his anger has on others is moving and inspirational. Karel Korp’s illustrations bring Otto, his mom, and the Angry Donga to life. Each panel is brightly and brilliantly colored and effectively draws the reader into the story. Otto and the Angry Donga is highly recommended.

The first thing that attracts one about Otto and the Angry Donga by Jane Komussar is the bold and bright artwork by illustrator Karel Korp. The images invite readers to open the book and begin to turn pages—which are sure to draw little ones in—as the author starts with a bit of a mystery. It seems that Otto and his mum, living in England, experience a change when one day Otto’s dad disappears. This makes Otto sad and at times angry, causing him to scream and slam doors. One day, with great anger, he shoots a fireball from his hands into the air. There it flies, hot, angry, and agitated. His mum, realizing the fireball is an expression of Otto’s anger, asks him to draw a picture of how he feels. Otto draws the fireball, which he calls, a “Donga.” When he shows the picture to his teacher, she suggests he put it in a bottle with a stopper so that it cannot get loose. Then, one day when the Donga escapes because Otto cannot control his feelings, Otto learns an important lesson about how his uncontrolled anger can affect others.

Jane Komussar, the author of Otto and the Angry Donga, shares Otto’s story about the importance of identifying his feelings and of learning what to do with them. I was pleased to see that the story provided Otto with the means for containing his anger, while still recognizing that his feelings existed and that, at times, it was important for Otto to be able to express those feelings. Otto’s mum suggests that there may be times when Otto needs a place where he can safely express his feelings without risking harm to others. She also lets him know that one day he might be able to put his anger away for good. But it is Otto who may bring understanding to other children as he comes to appreciate that he is “the boss” of his feelings and it is important he learns to show them in a positive way.