Quiet books don’t always need the same structure that other picture books have. Quiet stories are often told without true arcs or without wild swings in the action. Or without any action at all. Sometimes they are just vehicles to explain the way things are, or to express a feeling.
I Know How to Draw an Owl, by Hilary Horder Hippely and illustrated by Matt James is that kind of book. It is a simple story that flows quietly from the start to the end. Like most quiet stories, there are no wild swings in the action, no sitting pin the edge of our seats, just a bit of calm quiet as we accompany the protagonist and learn.
The story opens in a classroom as a teacher is giving an art lesson. She is showing the students how to draw an owl; the body, the head, the beak, the wings, the eyes. She marvels at the owl our protagonist, Belle, has drawn. Especially the wise eyes.
When asked how she made the eyes look so wise, Belle says she doesn’t know. But the truth is she does know how. She just isn’t going to tell anybody because it involves a secret she would rather not share.
Belle and her mother live in a car in their car in a park. We don’t know why they are there, what happened before this that landed them there. And it is not really important to the story. It’s just a quiet acceptance of the way things are. There is an obvious loving relationship and an acceptance between Belle and her mother. We are made to understand that this, having no home, is something Belle keeps to herself.
Every night in the car in the park Belle and her mom hear an owl hooting. Mom says it is there to keep a watch over them. Belle aches to see the owl and one night she actually does. It lands near her and she studies it for the longest time. This is how she was able to draw the wise eyes of the owl in class.
Matt James’ illustrations are big and saturated. They were executed in acrylics on masonite giving them a fluid appearance and wonderful texture of brush strokes. The palette is predominately dark with blues and blacks. This provides an authentic look at what the park at night from a car must look/feel like. Both magical and a little frightening.
The images from within the school are warm and painterly. The other students and teacher are engaging and the owl is both noble and haunting.
This is not a book about homelessness, rather a book about absorbing the life you have, acceptance of your situation, and recognizing where you can help.
This is a book I can’t wait to see! Thank you for sharing its beauty.
This book strikes me right in the heart . Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
What a fascinating way to bring light of homelessness for children. Even if that wasn’t the intent.
Love the cover, love the title, love the understated meaning behind the title. “This is not a book about homelessness” – love that line of this article. Thank you, Kevan, and congratulations Hilary and Matt. I’m looking this up right now!
WOW! I can’t wait to find and read this book.
Such a beautiful story, I can’t wait to read it!
This book looks amazingly touching. I love the premise and I love the illustrations. Congrats!
What a beautiful and important book! Thanks for highlighting it for us.
This looks gorgeous and moving, with lots of opportunity for reflection. I look forward to reading it.
Lovely book and interview!
Original! The brush strokes and blue/green hues are gorgeous. The page where they are saying goodnight resembles the aurora borealis.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful book, Kevan. I just requested it at the library. Can’t wait to read and reflect.
Such a tender and realistic book. I’d love to read this to 2nd and 3rd graders.
This sounds like a beautiful book. Thank you for sharing it!
Wow this book looks incredible. Thanks for sharing about it.