​Hoot Owl: Master of Disguise
Sean Taylor
Illustrations by Jean Jullien
 
Hoot Owl is far from modest--he considers himself not only a master of disguise, but also a mighty hunter--and now, he’s hungry! Young readers will chuckle at his first disguise: a delicious orange carrot for sneaking up on a rabbit. The turquoise bunny simply hops away. Through the darkness of French artist Jullien’s night scenes (“black as burnt toast”) and startling, black-rimmed images, Hoot Owl tries cannily but unsuccessfully to catch a lamb and then a pigeon. (His costumes include an ornamental birdbath.) But now, he’s in the brightly lit city, peeking through a restaurant window and spying the perfect prey: a mouth-watering pizza. Will Hoot Owl, in his natty waiter’s outfit, be able to capture the deliciously steaming pie? Yes, Hoot Owl has triumphed--it’s pepperoni. Flying off through the night, he proclaims, “I am gone. The world can sleep again.” The final page surprises with a hint he may return. Let’s hope so!

2014, Ages 3 to 6

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

Good Night Owl
Greg Pizzoli
Cover cross-stitch by Rotem Moscovich

October’s longer nights give owls more time to hunt, but Pizzoli’s Owl is different. With his aqua feathers and pink nightshirt, he just wants to sleep. As he settles into bed in his neatly-furnished little house, Owl hears an ominous noise--“Squeek!” What can it be? Is it someone at the door, or something under the floor or perhaps on the roof? Owl becomes obsessed with the noise, frantically tearing apart his house (kids will love seeing Owl pry up the floorboards) till there’s nothing left but his bed. Being in on the secret of the Squeek is half the fun; sleepyheads will be ready to imitate Owl and the Squeeker, finally sleeping peacefully together, open to the moon and stars. Pizzoli’s dazzling retro palette includes tobacco brown and mustard yellow as well as the bright pinks and aquas. And don’t forget to lift off the jacket to see Owl’s house before and after destruction!

2016, Ages 3 to 6

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.