OWLS MAKE TERRIBLE TEACHERS

This feathered replacement isn’t quite up to the job.

The title’s premise may upset expectations; after all, owls—Athena’s bird—are renowned for their wisdom. In outline, the plot reprises the creators’ Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians (2024). A substitute educator runs amok until the real professional finally returns, to the kids’ heartfelt appreciation. But the details are, naturally, entirely different, starting with the bird’s nocturnal schedule, which dictates that all school activities take place after sundown. This turns out to be the easiest adjustment: It’s pajama day (or rather, night)! Everyone dons pjs except the owl, who is, shockingly, wearing nothing but a necktie and big round spectacles: “Awkward.” The kids hide their class hamster before it becomes prey and try to beat Owl in a hurdle race (the prize is no homework), only to discover that he conceals long legs in his plumage. During math class, the youngsters learn that owls can rotate their heads 270 degrees; English is painfully sidetracked by the unbearable screeching of talons on the board. Regurgitated owl pellets are the last straw for the children, but luckily their real teacher soon shows up. The energetic art ramps up the fun as the saucer-eyed students’ emotions come through clearly, likely mirroring readers’ own feelings of surprise, dismay, and disgust. Fans of the alpaca book—and everyone who enjoys a topsy-turvy day—will love this one.

Classroom chaos done right.