Review by Booklist Review
Little Owl and her father live near the top of an old oak tree. Little Rabbit and his mother live near the bottom, among the tree's roots. Little Rabbit spends his days racing about, exploring the great forest around them. Little Owl spends her nights swooping across the sky. But they have never met. One morning, Mother Rabbit says that her bunny reminds her of Little Owl when he tilts his head. That evening, Father Owl says that his owlet reminds him of Little Rabbit when she hops up and down. Each little one is curious about the other. They meet one evening under a full moon, and, eventually, they discover other ways to connect with each other. The simple, well-chosen words and parallel phrases in the text, combined with the many paired illustrations, add a charming dual quality to this cozy picture book, which makes the occasions when the two main characters meet all the more special. First published in Poland, this endearing picture book reads aloud beautifully and has broad appeal for children. Pair this with Paul Meisel's Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel! (2016) for an amusing variation on the same theme: nocturnal and diurnal animals who become very good friends.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a magnificent wood, an owl family lives amid the branches of an old oak, while a rabbit family resides among its roots; each has "a small, sleepy baby." The two young creatures know about each other ("You remind me of our neighbor Little Owl when you tilt your head like that," Mother Rabbit says), but due to the animals' opposing waking periods, they've never met. When at last, a full moon rises, they find themselves face-to-face. "Can you teach me to hunt in the dark?" Little Rabbit inquires; "Can you teach me to hop through grass?" Little Owl asks. To keep in touch, they leave daily gifts for each other (a feather, a dirt clod), and make a wish that engenders a mystical connection between them until full-moon nights offer precious playtime. Wechterowicz thoughtfully explores a growing attachment in this quiet logistical fable, while Dziubak creates a lush, intricately developed forest world that plays the sunlight of Little Rabbit's daytime world off the moonlight and warm interior glow of Little Owl's nocturnal life. Ages 3--6. (Apr.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
New pals must cope with different sleep schedules if they want their friendship to last. In a single tree, Little Owl is born in the branches near the top and Little Rabbit among the roots at the bottom. Over time, nocturnal Little Owl and diurnal Little Rabbit each hear stories from their parents about the other. One night, a beautiful moon wakes Little Owl early and keeps Little Rabbit from going to bed. The two meet and are instant friends but sadly realize that they can almost never be together to play. It takes a magical night and a bit of a switcheroo involving shadows for the two to finally find a way to be together in spite of their natural sleep cycles. A great yearning engulfs this tale, translated from Polish. The ultimate solution--wishing on a falling star to be together, which results in the two switching shadows--isn't as clear as it might be (how do shadows take the place of absent friends?). Fortunately there are copious playful, high-spirited illustrations depicting the two animals as googly-eyed bits of adorable feathers and fur. The book doesn't offer concrete solutions for children missing loved ones who can't be near, but it does provide a bit of sympathy for those who go it alone. (This book was reviewed digitally.) True camaraderie beats out even bedtime in this charming friendship tale. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
