Review by Booklist Review
Meet Otis, a young barred owl who lives with his family in a hole in a large tree. Sometimes joined by his sister, he sits in his home's opening and surveys his world. His parents fly off to hunt, returning to feed the owlets pieces torn from their prey. While the siblings sometimes seem to quarrel, they also preen each other's soft, fuzzy-looking feathers. Otis occasionally beats his wings, but the ground is a long way down and he cannot fly yet. The story is quiet rather than dramatic, but the exceptionally clear, close-up photos of Otis and his family command attention, and Holland's short, simply written text is informative yet accessible. Kids intrigued by Otis may also enjoy the appended section that explains owl pellets and owl anatomy, while asking readers to identify which of eight pictured animals are part of an owl's diet and to match photos with the body parts described on the facing page. Holland, a naturalist and a skilled nature photographer, offers a visually captivating picture book on owls.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Naturalist and photographer Holland (Animal Legs) documents the early life of a baby barred owl. Close-range images show "Otis" emerging from his family's tree hollow home, followed by his (unnamed) sister. Occasional questions ("Can you find the vole that Otis' father just brought him?") encourage children to engage with the photographs that dominate the pages; the text is crammed into a column along the right-hand edges. Holland's photographs offer engaging shots of the owlets, but because Otis and his sister don't stray far from the nest, there's little variation in the images, most of which show them peering from the hole in the tree they inhabit. A closing section of quizzes, owl-related vocabulary, and other details add educational heft to this brief introduction to owls' daily existence. Ages 4-9. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-This gem introduces children to the charming simplicity of the life of Otis and his barred owl family. His home is a hole in a craggy tree, where readers can observe as he eats under the watchful eye of his parents, squabbles and reconciles with his sister, and prepares for flight. Holland's photography matches the text well. After reading about the adorable Otis, students will be curious to learn more about barred owls. Back matter consists of additional information on anatomy, prey, and regurgitation, subjects that could spark discussion with an adult. VERDICT Delightful for nonfiction storytimes everywhere, especially those with an interest in baby animals.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Close-up photographs add interest to the story of Otis the owlet, which includes basic information about owls for young bird enthusiasts. Questions that punctuate the text ("What do you think he decides to do?") disrupt the narrative's flow, and squeamish readers may balk at photographs showing owls with dead voles sticking out of their beaks. Additional facts and a matching activity are appended. Also available in Spanish. Bib. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
