A baby owl in distress brings out the best in all the forest animals.
The silence of the dark night is disrupted by a terrible howl. Could it be a wolf? The hedgehog is the first animal to find the howler, a tiny owl with enormous eyes. Next come a crow, the industrious ant and the squirrel. None can get the owl to explain her distress or get her to stop crying, even with offers of food and fun. The mole tries a bribe of a beautiful flower necklace...which also doesn't work, though it looks nice hanging around the owl's neck. The stag beetle tries tough love, but this only makes the owl howl even louder. Feeling terrible, the stag beetle then suggests rocking the little owl to calm her and finds a cobweb that, stretched between two trees like a hammock, is perfect for the job. They rock the little owl while the mole sings a lovely lullaby. Suddenly, the little owl flies out of her makeshift hammock and into the air, landing in the wings of Mommy Owl, who gently asks what's wrong. And the little owl stops howling. The slight bedtime story is enhanced by beautiful illustrations in deep hues and an offbeat cast of forest animals. Laminated pages make it appropriately sturdy for the very young target audience.
It may not be especially new, but it is awfully sweet. (Picture book. 3-5)
