Owl's Fall Feast Fiasco - by Kristen Remenar (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Owl is hosting a Fall Feast, and Platypus--his favorite didgeridoo musician--is joining! But what do you serve someone who is mammal, bird, and reptile?

A funny and relatable seasonal picture book for parents looking to teach 3-7-year-old kids about accepting differences, looking beyond stereotypes, and friendship.

Owl is so excited to meet Platypus--his favorite didgeridoo musician, who just confirmed he'd be part of Owl's Fall Feast! Owl is over the moon! But there is just one problem: What does Platypus eat?

Checking in with his friends offers no good insight. In fact, he learns that Groundhog is lactose intolerant, Hare has an allergy to carrots, Sparrow is a vegetarian, and Tortoise prefers to eat the flower centerpiece!

Will Owl be able to see past his preconceptions of his friends and other species, and be accepting to everyone's differences?

Full of humor and tenderness, this book teaches readers valuable social-emotional lessons of accepting others for who they are.

Review Quotes

Just as he's planning a fall feast for a special guest, Australian didgeridoo player Platypus, Owl learns that his friends have never expressed that they don't like his meals and have unspoken food preferences. The menu needs to be perfect, but now with Owl's fears exacerbated by the not-so-good news about his self-proclaimed, perfect dishes, will the talented Platypus and Owl's friends have a fiasco? Remenar depicts animals as relatable characters conveying human behavior, which provides readers with an alternate perspective on conduct in complex social settings. Faulkner's use of anthropomorphic characterization adds quality to the visualization and tone of the text. Despite the fact that the story features a didgeridoo player, Aboriginal culture and values are not depicted. The story shows its audience that perspectives from others can help them recognize their own behaviors, and that they can reframe displeasure by learning to offer constructive criticism in social settings and personal relationships. It teaches young readers the value of using direct communication, making observations, and avoiding broad assumptions, and can serve well as a library or classroom staple to help children develop a moral compass to guide them in making thoughtful decisions. VERDICT A warm title for young readers about honest and effective communication, friendship, and the understanding that differences are worth celebrating.
--School Library Journal

About the Author

Kristen Remenar is a children's librarian, writer, teacher, and national speaker on literacy. She is married to author/illustrator Matt Faulkner. She is the author of Groundhog's Dilemma and Squirrel Needs a Break.

Award-winning children's book author and illustrator Matt Faulkner has illustrated twenty-nine books and written and illustrated seven more since he began his career back in 1985, including Groundhog's Dilemma, Thank You, Squirrel Needs a Break, Sarah, Gaijin: An American Prisoner of War, and Because I Could Not Stop My Bike. Matt is married to author and librarian Kristen Remenar. www.mattfaulkner.com