Hoot and Peep

December 14, 2015
Hoot the owl is ready to share his “owly wisdom” with his younger sister, Peep, and introduce her to nocturnal life in the city (which looks to be a cross between the historic sections of London and Paris). But Peep, deeply moved by the sounds and sights of the night—“the magic of the moonbeams,” the “slip-slap of waves against stone”—insists on singing a very un-owlike song: “Schweeep dingity dong, schweeep dingity dong!” Frustrated by his sister’s expressions of autonomy, Hoot loses his temper in a classic older sibling way: “Hooo is the only way to say everything!” Peep flies away, forcing Hoot to make amends and acknowledge that “Little sisters have their own owly wisdom.” Judge’s (Good Morning to Me!) watercolors don’t always have a clear focus, and the story can be difficult to track. But attentive reading pays off: it’s a lovely nighttime fantasy whose starry, blue-tinged scenes among tiled rooftops, chimney pipes, and gothic spires bring to mind Peter Pan and Mary Poppins. Ages 3–5. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt Agency.

December 15, 2015
An older brother learns a lesson about creativity and communication from his younger sister in this picture book set around Notre Dame de Paris. Hoot, an owl, looks forward to spending time with his sister, Peep. Puffed up with a sense of his own importance, Hoot can't wait to pass along his "owly wisdom." Peep, on the other hand, is fascinated and inspired by her surroundings and expresses herself in a variety of un-owly ways that reflect the sounds around her--bongs, coos, whistles, and lapping water. Frustrated, Hoot rejects Peep's creative, vaguely bebop vocalizations, prompting Peep to fly off alone. A somewhat facile change of heart brings the siblings together again to swoop and sing through the starlit night. The cartoony style of the characters, shown with big round eyes and sweet smiles, seems somewhat at odds with the dreamy, romanticized City of Light setting, but it fits well with the jaunty dialogue and cheerful message. The background is particularly lovely, painted in watercolor with some digital enhancements. Shades of blue dominate, providing an attractive counterpoint to the dusky browns and grays of buildings, streets, and gargoyles as well as to the brighter yellow, russet, and gold of the owls. Not all readers will be convinced by the two birds' swift rapprochement, but little sisters everywhere will be pleased by Hoot's about-face, as will iconoclasts of all stripes (or feathers). (Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from March 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Hoot knows all about the owl life. And he can't wait to share all of his knowledge with his little sister Peep. Now that she is old enough to be out on the rooftops, they will be together all night long. But when Peep arrives, she doesn't want to hear Hoot's guidance. She wants to sing in her own style, not say "Hooooo" like Hoot thinks she should. Since they can't agree on a right way, the owlets separately sing their songs. Eventually they both realize that something is missing in their glorious night-their siblings. The story is gentle and sweet and celebrates being siblings and individuals. Judge's text is poetic and has a little fun to it, too. Peep's way of singing toward the night includes several amusing-to-make sounds. And the illustrations are glorious. Created in a palette of blues, the panels are moody and atmospheric. Rooftops shine in the glowing moonlight, and Hoot and Peep stand out in golds and browns. Their personalities are perfectly depicted here. VERDICT A wise and wonderful choice to share one-on-one and as a family read-aloud.-Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ

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