TINY OWL'S SCARY DAY

For a nocturnal creature, the daytime can be exciting—and even a little dangerous.

As dawn approaches, grayish-white Tiny Owl declares that she’s not a bit tired; she’s curious to explore and see what life is like by day! She sneaks out of the tree hollow where she and brown-feathered Mama Owl make their home. Tiny Owl plays chase with some other birds and rests in a field. Upon hearing threatening noises, she flies away, not looking back. Then she stops by a river to admire the bright-colored fish but then hears a different noise and takes off again. She attempts to rest with some other birds, but they scatter, and Tiny Owl races back home, alarmed. But no one is there, until…Mama Owl swoops in, exhausted from following Tiny Owl all day, protecting her. Relying on simple prose and repetition, this quaint story treads familiar ground. While it works as a cautionary tale for youngsters not to wander off, it also reassures them that their caregivers will nevertheless be there no matter what. The illustrations show Mama Owl chasing away the animals that threaten Tiny Owl (a cat and a fox), so they know Tiny Owl is never in too much danger. The mixed-media artwork has a juvenile charm, though it does appear quite rough and inconsistent at times, like the dark lines around Tiny Owl’s face that sometimes appear heavier.

Warm fare for youngsters eager for adventure—but still in need of some parental reassurance.