Otto P. Nudd

Fans of The Tales of Despereaux, Pax, and Crenshaw will delight over this friendship story about a brash raven, a dutiful squirrel, and the human girl that brings them together. The perfect read for animal lovers.

Otto P. Nudd is a proud raven who, when not strutting about the neighborhood, can be found sticking his beak in the latest issue of Popular Science or tinkering around his nest. To craft his ideas, Otto shares a workshop with Old Man Bartleby, the elderly human neighbor who is rarely without a tool. Otto's smarts make him Top Bird around the neighborhood--at least in his mind.

Marla is a protective mama-squirrel who would do anything to protect her babies, even if that means thwarting Otto's plans. For example, Otto has grown accustomed to having his pick of the peanuts that Old Man Bartleby and Pippa--the ten-year-old girl who owns the backyard where Otto lives--set out. And Marla has grown accustomed to stealing them.

But when Old Man Bartleby's latest invention lands him in danger, Otto and Marla must put aside their differences to get Pippa's attention and save the Old Man.