While I love all children's books, I especially appreciate the ones that can be equally enjoyed by adults. One of my favorites is the Owly series by Andy Runton. These graphic novels follow the adventures of Owly, a kind, gentle owl with a good heart. Along with his sidekick Wormy and their forest pals, they discover important lessons about themselves and what it means to be a true friend. These are heartwarming tales, told with a simple charm that just makes you feel good after having read them. Owly's ability to solve problems with kind understanding rather than anger seems to be the central point of the books. The unique thing about the Owly series is that the stories are told without words. Instead, Runton relies on the pictures to reveal the story. One would think this would be a difficult task to accomplish, but his mixture of symbols and expressions make it easy to understand what's happening.
Owly's early beginnings are also unique. Owly began as a simple doodle on a post-it note, a message to Runton's mother to let her know what time he went to bed as it was always late. Years later, the notes would serve as an inspiration and eventually unfold into the Owly graphic novels. Runton received the prestigious Eisner Award for Owly, an amazing and deserving accomplishment. I love the fact that Owly is not just a bunch of cute drawings (although there's no question that they are adorable.) It's so much more than that. Adults can enjoy the stories with their kids, but at the same time read beyond what's shown in the pictures. The character of Owly has human emotions and finds himself in situations that we can relate to. There's a lot we can learn from this wise owl, and if we look hard enough, I'm sure we could all see a bit of ourselves in him. I'm looking forward to sharing the wonderful world of Owly with my son when he's a little older.
There are currently four Owly volumes available, with the fifth one coming out this summer. You can buy the books and other Owly merchandise from Top Shelf Productions. Also, check out Andy's website for more Owly info and other fun stuff. If you're looking for a great book to read with your kids, give Owly a try. You'll be glad you did.
WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a signed copy of Owly Volume four: A TIME TO BE BRAVE. To enter, leave a comment on this post prior to Wednesday, June 25 at midnight. Tell me either what books you enjoy reading with your children, or your favorite children's book growing up. Please provide a valid e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. Winner must provide a U.S. or Canadian mailing address.
*UPDATE: The winner is #10 cancan. Congratulations!
51 comments:
What a sweet looking children's book!
I love children's books as much as I do reading my adult books. My favorite book growing up with "Sam,
The Dirty Dog!" To me, it is a classic! There is a new book for children called "In a Blue Room" by Jim Averbeck. We are enjoying reading this lovely book right now. Please enter me in your delightful book drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
A couple of our favorites is Goodnight Moon and Hugs, Hugs, Hugs, Kisses, Kisses, Kisses.
My daughter changes her favorite book regularly - right now she loves Hairy McLairy
My faves as a child were the Berenstein Bears. I didn't even know they had a new baby bear. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win.
planetmisty@gmail.com
hey Iss,
my faves where When We Were Six and Pat the Bunny (although I think that one was yours!)
wanmichelle[at]hotmail[dot]com
I totally forgot about my most favourite books of all time -Beatrix Potter!
These look adorable, I have never seen this series before. Owls are so popular right now as well, I have to go out & get the first one! I loved the Box Car Children series growing up!
These books look awesome! Do you know the author personally? My new favorite books are by Leah Wilcox, "Falling for Rapunzel" and "Waking Beauty". Too cute and funny for words! Also love "Llama Llama Red Pajama". Miss you guys! Thanks for entering me in your drawing.
Yasemin
Love reading books with my daughter, she currently loves The Story of Ferdinand!
My son loves Maurice Sendak books...Pierre, The Nutshell Kids, Where the Wild Things Are, In The Night Kitchen!
I loved the "Frances" books, especially "A Bargain for Frances". I also liked the "Frog and Toad" books.
When I learned to read I read EVERYTHING...all of the Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and the Boxcar Children.
I forgot to leave my email onlycancan at hotmail dot com
I loved reading Clifford books growing up. I love reading Goodnight Gorilla and Barnyard Dance to my twin girls. This owly book looks adorable.
This looks like such cute book!! My daughters love to read. We still read Good Night Moon for the fun of it!
what cute books! I just got my almost 3 year old Courdouroy & we both love it!
mom2sagecambria at gmail . com
Some of my favorite memories with my are those when he read to/with us as kids. I loved "Charlotte's Web" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".
Oops, here's my e-mail: hannademaster@yahoo.com
I loved 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' when I was little. Great giveaway, thanks! hellomary018 at yahoo dot com
I loved Bridge to terabithia and where the red fern grows. I also love owls, so Owly looks like great fun to read with my daughter!
This book looks right up *our* alley. I say *our* because my son was an early reader and now reads way above age level. This causes him to want to read books way way above age level and those are usually inappropriate.
When we read *together*, he enjoys a good book like this. When he reads alone, his selections are usually historical or political. I would love to read Owly with him this summer!
We love to read "Fun Dog, Sun Dog" and "The Flea's Sneeze"-they are both fun to read and cute.
my favorite book growing up was the pokey little puppy. these books are really adorable love the darling owl. thank you so much.
Every summer, I like to choose a novel with broad interest appeal and read it aloud to my kids. This year we are doing The Tale of Despereaux, but in the past, we have done Freddy Goes to Florida (hilarious!), Swallows and Amazons (adventure), among others.
michelle at northofthe49 dot com
I love to reaf my son any pop-up book. He is only 5 months old and its hard to keep his attention. I would love to eventually read him this book.
I love to read the Arthur books - but its so hard to choose. Kids books are the best! (afdr3d@umkc.edu)
I practically lived in the library as a child. Some books that stand out in my mind are The Red Balloon, Charlotte's Web and The Black Stallion.
gkstratos @yahoo.com
We love Harold and the Purple Crayon.
We love Eric Carle books! They are the best! Also the book called "Hug".
Eileen-Lilly(at)hotmail(dot)com
When I was a kid, one of my favorite books was Raggedy Anne and Andy and the Rain Day Circus. I found it in my parents' basement not long ago, so now my kids have it.
I think someone else mentioned Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, but that was one of my favorites!
Also, the Heggedy Peg book and Bear and Mrs. Duck.
My favorite book was Heidi when I was a bit older and could read myself.
I remmeber one book but not the name when young: it was about some blue birds who were decorating for someone's wedding. They flew around putting up streamers, etc. I loved that book and have looked for it in vain. It might have been a Little Golden Book.
yourstrulee at sasktel dot net
My kids are crazy about train books. We're reading Freight Train, Trains (Barton), Chugga-Chugga-Choo-Choo, etc.
Awww this looks like such a sweet children's book!! :) I loved 'Pat the Bunny' as a child. :)
Right now our favorite book is Where is Baby's Belly Button?
tvollowitz at aol dot com
My sons favorite books is Weslandia by Paul Fleischman and has been for a long time
We love the Little House Series!
Owly looks adorable and it must be a great series if they're already on #5. My kids favorite book is "Is Your Mama a Llama?" They just love hearing it.
doot65[at]comcast{dot}net
What a cute little owl! We'd love to win.
We love reading Richard Scarry books.
Thanks!
Megret
meg.wilson@gmail.com
CHARLOTTE'S WEB
dolls123[at]gmail[dot]com
My daughter loves Dr. Seuss these days.
staceyheneveld AT mac DOT com
Little Bear's favorite book is called Who Are You, Baby Kangaroo? I actually did a whole blog post about how i tried to return this book to the library but later found Little Bear had stolen it from the library bag and put it on her bookshelf because she just hated to part with it! (I'm ordering her her own copy from amazon.com!)
My favorite book to read my girls is. "Oh, the places you will go" by: Dr. Seuss
What a cute looking book! I liked Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak! Thanks for the contest.
digicat@sbcglobal.net
I LOVE to read Roger Podger's Upside Down Day!
Some of my son's favorite books were "Dogger", "Jabberwocky", and "The Lorax". You don't realize the influence these books have until your child writes a college honors application essay using a favorite childhood book (in this case, The Lorax) - and, yes, he was accepted to the program.
Read to those kids, moms and dads (we read out loud through junior high).
Oh, yes, if I win, the books will go to my sweet little nieces (5 and 1 years old).
I love the illustrations. i hope I win.
i loved the little house series :)
Such a cool idea to put a contest on your blog! My favourite book growing up was "The paperbag pincess" by robert munch.
those curious george books have always been my favorite. thanks for the contest!
I would really like the win this book for me and my sons! We love all sorts of books....Curious George, Junie B. Jones, books about Star Wars.....pretty eclectic mix! Thanks for sharing!
I like reading Winnie the Pooh books because both kids like them. I also like Cars and Trucks and things that go by Richard Scary.
Would love to win for my son!
jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com
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