Odd Owls & Stout Pigs

November 16, 2009
Adrianne Lobel has retrieved another one of her Caldecott Medalist father's handmade gift books from obscurity (this one had been in storage for 40 years). But it is not nearly as inspired as last season's The Frogs and Toads All Sang
, which shared a similar back story. The poems—rhymed couplets about a variety of owls, followed by limericks about pigs—tend to be literal and light on wordplay. Rhyming words are often repeated (“There was a small pig with a tail./ Not curly but straight as a nail./ So she ate simply oodles/ Of pretzels and noodles,/ Which put a nice twist to her tail”), and variations on a closing line in the owl poems (one tosses cakes in the air because “He likes the mess it makes,” while another gulps down 10 milkshakes because “He likes the slurp it makes”) contribute to a sense of sameness that creeps in after a few pages. The images of the owls and pigs, however, have glimmers of Lobel quirkiness, and Adrianne Lobel's cheery pastel coloring heightens the gentle comedy. But the individual pleasures to be had are rather mild. Ages 4–7.

January 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 2-This collection of nonsense rhymes and poems explodes with fun and frivolity. With the help of an archivist, Arnold Lobel's daughter found undiscovered poems and tiny books with illustrations that her father originally gave as gifts. The first half of this book is dedicated to owls, and the second half focuses on the escapades of pigs. The verses cover a wide variety of topics, and the words create sound patterns that will engage listeners, who will be filled with glee as they hear the contradictions and absurdity of nonsense that at times appropriately shifts into light poetry. Original illustrations were scanned and enhanced with oil pastels and colored pencils. They play buoyantly off Mr. Lobel's clever text and provide a breezy feel. On one page, readers are challenged to "Explore this picture carefully, for all these owls are here to see/And if you really use your eyes, you'll find one owl is a surprise." Of course this book will be enjoyed by Lobel fans, but it is also a perfect choice for adults to introduce children to the spontaneity and playfulness of rhymes. Many of them can be used for shorter transitions during themed storytimes. This collection will evoke laughter and provide fun whether shared one-on-one or in a group setting."Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.