Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Whooo better than a baby barn owl to deliver a bird's-eye-view of the Nativity? While the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the animals sleep in the stable, Baby Owl and his mother are just waking up for their usual nighttime breakfast. As the feathered youngster inquires about "that baby sleeping in the nest below," Mama's soothing answers provide a lilting, lullaby-like rendition of the first Christmas. Hillenbrand's (Down on the Farm) starry mixed-media night skies and a shadow-filled barn serve as backdrop for wide-eyed owls and the peaceful Holy Child. Perfect for Christmas Eve sharing with little ones. Ages 3-6. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-When Baby Owl asks, "WHOOOO- is that baby sleeping in the nest below?" his mother gives more of a theological explanation than is normally included in a Nativity story for young children. Mama Owl tells the curious youngster that this Holy Child has a Heavenly Father as well as an earthly father. She also tells him that "God, his Heavenly Father, has given him the warmth of his love instead of feathers." The mixed-media illustrations are sweet and appealing. However, while Baby Owl is satisfied with the details provided about this Child, human parents may find that this story raises more questions than it answers with their youngsters.-V. W. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Preschool) A quiet Nativity story featuring double-page spreads of slumbering animals and conversing owls is enlivened by a youngster's animated curiosity. A baby owl and his mother look down on the stable where Jesus has just been born. The little owl asks lots of questions, veering from simple identification (""WHOOOO is that baby sleeping in the nest below?"") to more complex issues of theology (""WHOOOO is the Holy Child?"") and differences in anatomy (""WHOOOOO forgot to give his Holy Child feathers to keep him warm!""), and ending, somewhat without segue, with the now-obligatory tender moment between parent and child (""WHOOOO is special to Mama?""). This hodgepodge is held together by Hillenbrand's minimalist collage illustrations, which in their warmth and bold simplicity should hold children's attention despite the total lack of action; the questioning, open-hearted, big-eyed Baby Owl is an appealing stand-in for human preschoolers. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
From their perch high in the rafters of the stable, Baby Owl and Mama Owl look down on the manger scene in this delightful introduction to the Nativity story. Baby Owl asks a series of innocently humorous questions beginning with "WHOOOO is that baby sleeping in the nest below?" All-knowing Mama Owl answers each question, patiently identifying the characters in the stable and explaining some beginning theological questions as well (such as the distinction between Jesus's earthly and heavenly fathers). The story ends with a tender exchange between Mama Owl and Baby Owl before the mother flies off to find breakfast for her child. By focusing on the owls as narrators and observers of the Nativity scene, the author skillfully imparts some key Christian concepts for young listeners, while at the same time creating a satisfying and simple story of a caring parent-child relationship. Hillenbrand's mixed-media collage illustrations are just as successful as his text, with pleasing variance in perspective and appealing owl characters. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
