  | I know how to draw an owl Author: Hippely, Hilary Horder | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
A homeless girl, who lives in a car with her mother, draws a lifelike portrait of an owl based on firsthand experience.
| Illustrator: | James, Matt |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (09/01/24)
Booklist (+) (10/15/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (+) (00/11/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 10/15/2024 *Starred Review* Belle’s teacher shows her students how to draw an owl and gives them time to make their own owl portraits. Afterwards, a classmate asks why Belle’s drawing is so lifelike. Belle knows but doesn’t want to talk about it. She remembers when she and her mother packed a few belongings, left their home, and drove away. Now they live in their car, driving each night to a forested park. During their first overnight in the car, a hooting owl kept Belle awake until her mother said that the owl was looking out for them. Belle has since been looking for the owl. One quiet night, she finally sees it nearby, makes eye contact, and feels a strong connection with the bird. When a new boy joins her class at school, she welcomes him, offering him a similar sense of safety and belonging in an unfamiliar place. James contributes a series of acrylic paintings illustrating Belle’s experiences. Sometimes subtle but often striking, the scenes convey emotional undertones. Belle’s first-person narrative tells her story in a straightforward way, without bemoaning her losses or explaining what she has gained, though clearly the experience of living in a car has made her more sensitive to others’ troubles. A beautiful, moving picture book. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
