December's Book of the Month--I Know How to Draw an Owl

December’s book of the month is the gorgeous, heartfelt I KNOW HOW TO DRAW AN OWL, written by Hilary Horder Hiply and illustrated by Matt James.

When Ms. Rio’s class draws owls, Belle’s picture stands out from the rest for its wise eyes, and the way it “almost looks alive.” Belle won’t tell how she was able to do this, but apparently she and her mom once had a home, just like the other kids. One day, though, they packed all their things into their old blue car, and “drove and drove” until they got to a park. “The perfect place,” Belle’s mom said.

Belle was still awake when the hoot owl called. “Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo! Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoooo!” She badly wanted to see that owl, but night after night she only heard his “hooty lullaby.” Until one night he didn’t sing. The moon rose and suddenly the owl appeared on a nearby branch—“big and wild, that owl”—and so near, Belle was able to look into his “two wise eyes” and see him looking back. Belle doesn’t think she’ll ever explain about her owl drawing, but one day, a new boy comes to school, dropped off from an old blue car just like Belle’s, and she takes him under her wing.

Hiply’s text is gently matter-of-fact, and full of feeling without being overly sentimental. I love how she uses the riddle of the owl drawing as a compelling way to entice readers into Belle’s world. Matt James has created a lush and beautiful world in which to immerse readers. Moody acrylic-on-masonite paintings using full, rich colors, dramatic lights and darks, and stylized figures bring this story to life. Don’t forget to check the book’s cover underneath its dust jacket, and don’t miss this beautiful book!

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna

PB Review: Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna

Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna by Uschi Müller, illus. by Brittany Lane (Greystone Kids, 40p., ages 4-8, 9781771649285 )

Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna is a fascinating tale of goats using their "sixth sense" to protect themselves--and their young goatherd--from disaster when a volcano unexpectedly erupts.

Salvatore, his parents, and their herding dog, Gina, live on a farm "at the foot of white-peaked Mount Etna," a rumbling, active volcano. Salvatore loves the goats, especially lead goat Bianca, who seems "to know more about the mountain than he [does]." Usually Papa takes the goats up the mountain to graze, but today Salvatore will do the job solo. Salvatore promises Papa he'll herd the goats--rather than letting them herd him--then, "with a whistle to Gina," he heads off. As they climb, Bianca, who usually leads the way, circles Salvatore; rather than eating grass, she begins "to kick and jump around." The other goats join in, and Gina starts to bark. When Bianca takes off down the mountain, followed by the rest of the goats, Salvatore realizes he's being herded! But Salvatore trusts Bianca, and when they reach the bottom, they hear the mountain roaring. Salvatore ties his scarf around his lead goat, and together they bring the herd safely home.

Debut author Uschi Müller, coordinator of the ICARUS project (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) has crafted an intriguing, fluid story "inspired by true-life events" to illustrate the project's mission: to explore how "animals perceive upcoming catastrophes earlier than humans." Brittany Lane (The Day Dancer Flew) cleverly illustrates Salvatore's scenic home and conveys just the right touches of emotion and urgency through both human and animal body language. Backmatter rounds out this sure-footed offering with a pertinent, kid-friendly introduction to the ICARUS project. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness.

November Recommendations

THE MANGO TREE (La Mata de Mango), by Eden Rodriguez, is an extraordinary wordless picture book. On an island, a pair of friends eat, sleep, and play together in a magnificent mango tree. One day, a terrible storm knocks the tree over, and sweeps both it and one of the boys out to sea. The boy is carried to a new island, where nothing looks the same. Until he and his newfound friends plant the last mango from the tree, and a new tree sprouts, bringing joy to all. The brightly colored illustrations—woodblock prints that are assembled digitally—tell a touching, fantastical story with plenty to pore over in repeated readings. An author’s note gives some context and further enriches the story.

NO BEAR ANYWHERE, by Leah Gilbert, has all the ingredients for a fun and funny read-aloud. Bruin, a cute little kid in a bear hoodie, is hopeful they’ll get to see a REAL bear. He and his mom, with baby Pip in the stroller, set off down the trail. Each time readers think Bruin has found a bear—“Oh, Mama, LOOK!”—a dramatic page turn reveals a pinecone, or flower, or stone, or some other perfect thing to collect. Unbeknowst to Bruin, a family of bears follows along, always lurking just out of his sight. After the hike, Bruin ultimately doesn’t mind that he hasn’t seen a bear because the day has turned out “just fine.” The digital art is cute and adds to the story, as do the endpapers. Parents can explain later why bears are dangerous.

In ELBERT IN THE AIR, written by Monica Wesolowska and illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey, beginning “shortly after he [is] born,” Elbert floats. In the air. The neighbors suggest his mother, who has to stand on her tiptoes to feed him, “net him like a butterfly,” or even “deflate him…like a balloon.” But his mother replies that if he’s “born to float, I will let him.” Elbert feels lonely hovering by himself, and wishes for company. He wishes to fit in. But hIs mother continues to encourage him to be himself until one day, by floating ever higher, he finds—something fantastic! Wesolowska’s text is buoyant yet shows a range of emotion, and Pumphrey’s digital illustrations are in a print-making style; even when Elbert is feeling down (though not literally), they provide a lightness that perfectly suits the text. ELBERT IN THE AIR uses a playful premise to deliver a deeper message about being yourself, besides, who doesn’t want to float through the air?

HOW TO DRAW A BRAVE CHICKEN, and HOW TO DRAW A HAPPY CAT, written by Ethan T. Berlin and illustrated by Jimbo Matison, are fun and interactive. In the first, the text and illos demonstrate how to draw a chicken in a few easy steps, but “um, wait… she doesn’t look very brave.” Drawing “a suit of armor and a mighty steed” works, but then she wants to fight a dragon! Chaos ensues, including feeding the dragon ice cream on the moon, and drawing “the scariest party ever.”

In the second book, Cat “doesn’t look very happy,” so she’s given a cool T-shirt, a stuffy, and a skateboard. She’s “totally happy” for a while, but then Cat wants friends and a ramp, and after that she’s “scared of landing from this high up.” So Cat gets an airplane, and pizza, and parachutes, and readers are instructed to draw “the most awesome party ever!” The text is lively and the uncluttered digital art is shape-based so kids can actually try following the drawing instructions. Lots of energy and silliness should make these popular choices.

--Lynn