Otis the Owl

January 2, 2017
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.

December 15, 2016
A photographic guide to a young barred owl's first few months of life. Otis the owl is born in a tree cavity. Holland cannot capture the nest on film because it is too deep, but she does get Otis' wide-eyed look at the world for the first time when he climbs to the cavity opening. He's just a little ball of fluff perched in a tree. Readers get a surprise when another ball of fluff appears. Otis has a sister! Touching on the general skills a young owl must learn to become independent (how to eat, strengthening wings for flight), Holland lightly dips in to this bird of prey's life. Concepts such as predator and prey, nocturnal, and preening are explored, and a smattering of direct questions lend a conversational tone. Alas, Otis never flies triumphantly from the tree--he only perches on a limb at the story's end--so there is not much resolution to this story of animal maturation cast as hero's quest. Large blocks of text squeezed into recto (with one exception) page frames make for a monotonous design, but it does give ample room for photographs, which propel the focus. May inspire budding owl enthusiasts. (additional information, activities) (Informational picture book. 4-7)

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February 1, 2017

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.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2017
Grades K-3 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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)