Good Night Owl by Greg Pizzoli (New York, Hyperion) $18
The main character in this funny picture book is definitely not as wise as owls are traditionally held to be.
In fact, Owl is a bit slow on the uptake as he tries to determine what, or who, is making a noise just as he is settling into bed. He initially thinks the tiny sound might be someone at the door, but that is not the case.
“Probably the wind,” says Owl as he gets back into bed and says goodnight to himself. The noise continues and Owl causes more and more damage to his house as he removes cupboard shelves, takes up floor boards, pulls down the roof and finally takes down the walls. At this point, the noise says “Squeak” and on the final page we see Owl and the “noise” happily tucked up in bed together.
The appealing pastel illustrations depict a puzzled Owl whose demeanor changes to annoyance and finally outright anger as he fails to solve the riddle. A double spread shows a furious Owl wielding a large hammer as he destroys his home amidst a cloud of dust and a scurrying mouse.
Owl’s about-face when the riddle is solved adds to the humour. Pizzoli is the author of several other popular picture books.
Fran Ashdown was the children’s librarian at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library. She once discovered a squirrel in the walls of one of her homes. For more info check your local libraries.
