THE SMALLEST OWLET

Readers follow a great horned owl pair as they start a family.

Reusing a magpie’s old nest, the female owl lays three eggs over three days. The male keeps the female fed for the next 30 days, and the eggs hatch over three more days, Smallest Owlet last of all. Readers learn what owls eat, how the owlets develop and change, and about threats to the young owls. When crows swoop in and threaten the babies, Smallest Owlet falls out of the nest and must remain on the ground for the time being. Father Owl provides food for the whole family while Mother Owl protects Smallest Owl, using her wings and tail to appear larger and more threatening to predators. Luckily, the two aren’t on the ground long, as the owlets are now strong enough to use their feet and beaks to climb. Eventually, they’re big enough to jump from branch to branch, the distances growing until they’re gliding and finally flying between trees and learning to hunt. By late summer, all three are grown and on their own. Backmatter offers additional fascinating facts about great horned owls. Graham’s gorgeous, realistic artwork is a big draw, each tree, wing, and owl face masterfully detailed; she doesn’t shy from the realities of nature (though it’s not overly gruesome, either). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A marvelous close-up look at great horned owls.