Otto lives in the City of trees, which nestles between snow capped mountains. It is respectable to be normal, and all the normal people think that their city is normal. Even though they see impossible things every day, like tumble driers heated by dragons. However the Karmidee, or magicos, use magic every day and know that really the city isn't normal but very magical. In fact, the city has been cut off from the outside world, to protect its magical secrets.

Otto's family appear to be 100% normal, until Otto's twin sisters start flying. Its a real battle for them to appear respectable then, and soon Otto is drawn into the world of the Kasrmidee. Meanwhille, the mayor has decided to clamp down on anything and everything that is not normal. And there are large holes appearing all over the city...

This is a gentle adventure story with magic, mystery, and villians to be overcome. I enjoyed it, and its sequel, "Otto and the bird charmers".