From Finland via Scotland, a hoot of a bedtime treat.
The titular owl—youngest in her family—is disappointed when she cannot copy the behaviors of a hare, a bear, or a squirrel.
“Deep in a frosty forest, a family of owls lived happily in their treetop home.” The text on the recto of a perfectly composed, full-bleed, double-page spread goes on to say that Olwen herself is not happy; she is bored. The owlet sits at the verso’s forefront, her fluffy little body perched on the branch of a fir tree. Snow floats down over diffused light, and Olwen’s siblings can be seen on branches farther away. Despite the detailed realism of the owl, there is no denying that she has a bored demeanor. The art continues to perfectly complement the text as it spins a sweet, well-paced tale that will resonate with young readers. Not only can they appreciate Olwen’s feelings, they will enjoy predicting what will happen when Olwen tries to perform un-owllike feats. The detailed, just slightly anthropomorphic illustrations of animals are delightful, all set against the background of an enchanting wintertime forest. Despite Olwen’s diminutive size, the larger animals are benign and even encouraging. The art does a masterful job of playing up size contrasts. Gentle humor abounds in the text as well, including the incorrect but appropriate names Olwen gives to the three animals she encounters. The ending is both predictable and satisfying.
From Finland via Scotland, a hoot of a bedtime treat. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-78250-712-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Floris
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
Sadly, the storytelling runs aground.
A little red sleigh has big Christmas dreams.
Although the detailed, full-color art doesn’t anthropomorphize the protagonist (which readers will likely identify as a sled and not a sleigh), a close third-person text affords the object thoughts and feelings while assigning feminine pronouns. “She longed to become Santa’s big red sleigh,” reads an early line establishing the sleigh’s motivation to leave her Christmas-shop home for the North Pole. Other toys discourage her, but she perseveres despite creeping self-doubt. A train and truck help the sleigh along, and when she wishes she were big, fast, and powerful like them, they offer encouragement and counsel patience. When a storm descends after the sleigh strikes out on her own, an unnamed girl playing in the snow brings her to a group of children who all take turns riding the sleigh down a hill. When the girl brings her home, the sleigh is crestfallen she didn’t reach the North Pole. A convoluted happily-ever-after ending shows a note from Santa that thanks the sleigh for giving children joy and invites her to the North Pole next year. “At last she understood what she was meant to do. She would build her life up spreading joy, one child at a time.” Will she leave the girl’s house to be gifted to other children? Will she stay and somehow also reach ever more children? Readers will be left wondering. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-18-inch double-page spreads viewed at 31.8% of actual size.)
Sadly, the storytelling runs aground. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-72822-355-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
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