Readers who loved Christopher Denise's Caldecott Honor title, Knight Owl, will be thrilled to know that the titular pint-size hero is back--and he's got company.
In the first book, Owl saw his wish to join the Knight Night Watch become a reality, and he used his courage and wit to outsmart a dragon. Owl faces an even more formidable foe in this follow-up: Early Bird, his "BIGGEST fan." Early Bird wants to be a Knight Owl, but Owl's nocturnal schedule proves an immediate obstacle. When Early Bird is ready to start her day, Owl is ready for bed, and when it's time to patrol the castle at night, Early Bird can't stay awake. Tension between the two grows and Owl tells Early Bird, "PLEASE GO AWAY!" She does. For entirely too long. Owl, worried about Early Bird, sets off into the dark, cold forest to find her and stumbles onto something much worse.
Young readers with little siblings will recognize Early Bird's personality immediately, and Denise finds plenty of humor in her character. The text of much of her dialogue is styled in varying sizes, a clever visualization of the "great deal of noise" she makes. As he did in Knight Owl, Denise skillfully employs a palette of warm golds and deep, occasionally chilling blues. He expertly alternates between charming vignettes, single-page illustrations framed by generous white space, and cinematic, full-bleed spreads. It's difficult to live up to Knight Owl's near perfection--the third act's pacing here is rushed and the book's focus is somewhat divided--but most readers will be too busy giggling and cheering to notice. --Stephanie Appell