This is a picture book I'm eager to share, but I struggled to decide how to begin. The author solved that by writing a small opening note on the credits page, which touched me deeply. Then the actual text hit the perfect pitch to launch a tender and important story. So which should I use to gain your interest and convince you to read this?
*Sigh*
As the song says, I'll start at the very beginning, a very good place to start...".
NEAL PORTER BOOKS, 2024
I KNOW HOW TO DRAW AN OWL is written by Hilary Horder Hippely and illustrated by Matt James.The wordless first page shows a teacher at the green board drawing two circles... a snowman?
That compelling page turn reveals this teacher instructing how to draw an owl- round head, oval body, talon feet, hooked beak, folded wings, and two big eyes. A diverse group (teacher and students) responds with various facial expressions in full color illustrations with loose-edged intensity and splashes of realism. The next page turn confronts us with a full spread of one artwork with huge, intese owl eyes aimed right at the reader.
That's the launch of a story that will stay with you as deeply as those owl eyes will. When asked how the Belle knew how to draw such hyper-realistic eyes, she shrugs, but we read that she knows, but won't tell. The continuing story includes more of those wordless double spreads that say so much, alternating with expansive illustration scenes, supported by first person narrative by Belle. She exits the school bus to walk past homes of classmates until she meets her mom in a blue car. And they go home.
That's when things get serious. This IS home. Mom drives deep into the woods and they find a place to spend the night after the park closes. A place with a water for drinking and cleaning, a car to serve as home with a bedroom/windshield view of the treetops. The sound of an owl is a good omen, her mom says. Night after night she waits, hears, but doesn't see, that owl. Until she does.
That powerful moment is handled with grace and realism. There is nothing magical in this book, beyond the enormity and magic of humanity and love. The book could have concluded there, but something equally powerful is revealed in the few remaining pages. I titled this with a reminder to PAY ATTENTION. That could apply, literally, to the child paying attention to the owl. More importantly, the conclusion stresses that the child pays attention to essentials that can so easily be overlooked (no spoilers here).
Now, cirlcing back to that opening page note in then upper left corner of the credits page. The author notes that she has been informed when students reside in shelters, so she is able to focus on particular needs that may arise. Once, though, she noticed a student living with a parent in a car- it was one of her students. She had no idea and realized that anyone among her group might have such needs. She calls out the bravery of the child and the parents for doing everything with hope, nurturing faith and hope that could so easily be lost.
This book appeals on many levels: as a school story, as a family story, as a nature story, as a kindness story, and for its effective narrative/layout and compelling illustrations. It is a timeless story, since hard times never seem to leave us. That makes the deepest metaphor all the more important,. Using our eyes, our attention, to truly SEE each other is not only possible. It is a capacity that grows with practice. And it should.
Please read this and share it, and keep your eyes open!
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