To See an Owl - by Matthew Cordell (Hardcover)

About the Book

Inspired by her teacher, Mr. Koji, a girl begins bird watching in the hopes of seeing an owl.

Book Synopsis

An endearing story about a girl's efforts to spot an owl from the Caldecott Medal winning creator of Wolf in the Snow. This gorgeous picture book that encourages patience and perseverance will resonate with readers of all ages who have longed to see one of these elusive creatures in the natural world.

When will I find you?
Where could you be?
What will it take?
To see an owl.

Silent and wide-eyed, owls are hidden creatures of the night. Janie has always dreamed of finding one. She searches everywhere for signs of an owl - on the open prairie for short-eared owls, on the beach for snowy owls, and for great horned owls in the woods near her home. But months go by, and she sees no owls. She wonders, what will it take to see an owl?

Her teacher, Mr. Koji, a fellow bird-lover, shares that he, too, waited a long time to see an owl. He assures her, "If you are very quiet and very patient, and if you look very close, you might just find them."

When the snow begins to fall, Janie and her mother head into the woods again, and as she looks carefully, hidden high up in the trees, what she sees is pure magic.

From Matthew Cordell, the creator of Wolf in the Snow that was awarded the Caldecott Medal, comes this beautiful story about quiet perseverance that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the anticipation of discovering a rare treasure in the wild.

Review Quotes

★ "A title easily summed up in a single word: magic." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Taut, suspense-heightening sentences combine with deliberate pacing as well as tender observations of earnest efforts and mentorship." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "The stunning story is a splendid celebration of the wonder of nature....A particularly pleasurable exploration of the magic that the world reveals to those who approach it with patience." --Booklist, starred review

★ "Children often dive wholeheartedly into their interests....When something sparks their curiosity, they explore it with pure enthusiasm, driven by a sense of wonder and joy. This is precisely what Matthew Cordell captures so skillfully in To See an Owl, using plain language and short, impactful phrasing." --BookPage, starred review

"Gentle and earnest....The laser-focus on one single thing will ring true for many kids and adults alike, so current (or former) dino fans, truck enthusiasts, and cat whisperers will find a kindred spirit with our aspiring ornithologist." --The Bulletin

"Both compelling and informational, the story of Janie's quest, like the experience of finally sighting a pair of owls, is 'magic.'" --The Horn Book

"A perfectly lovely picture book for the owl obsessed." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of many celebrated picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal winner Wolf in the Snow, Evergreen, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Hello Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mr. Rogers, a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, and the Cornbread and Poppy series, which Booklist in a starred review has called "a rewarding choice for young readers." Matthew lives outside of Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.