Haiku is the perfect form to share the tale of young owlets and their growth from eggs in a nest to the day they fly off to make their own homes. The brevity of the lines catches the quick pace of life within the forest. The attack of crows. The "Pip. Pip. Pip. Poking." as eggs crack open. "Beating, leaping, teetering" as the young ones try out their wings. Bit by bit readers can see the perils of life in the forest, the protection of the owl parents, and the freedom of wings.
The sepia and watercolor illustrations capture the dazzle of sunbeams filtering through the leaves and the brilliance of a full moon on the treetops. Images also show closeups of the hatchlings sheltered under the mother's wings and the panicked flight of a fledgling from a hungry fox.
Back matter includes details about the senses, feeding habits, and range of the great horned owl. There are also suggested books, websites, and videos for additional information. Whether is is read due to interest in the owls, or as a mentor text for poetry lessons - this is an excellent book for elementary school classrooms and libraries.
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