Hilary Horder Hippely (A Song for Lena) champions courage and kindness while presenting a difficult and relevant topic--unhoused families--in I Know How to Draw an Owl. Award-winning illustrator Matt James (The Funeral) elevates Hippely's heartfelt story with his richly layered, deeply saturated art.
"Today we're drawing owls," Ms. Rio announces. Among her students' results, Belle's work is especially notable. Belle merely shrugs in response; she knows exactly why, but she's hardly ready to tell. Once upon a time, Belle and her mother had their own house, "with a table and chairs and a sleepy cat." But these days, they live in their "old blue car," in a "shady park." Belle's mother assures her it's "the perfect place." They're lucky, too, Mom insists, because of a nearby hoot owl keeping watch over them. One night, Belle finally meets their avian guardian: "He stayed with me for a long... time, I think to say--I'm glad you're here." And that's why Belle can "draw an owl so well." With the owl's wisdom to guide her, she knows just how to welcome the new kid, recognizing he, too, is likely unhoused. "I understand," she promises. "I'll keep my eye on you."
Hippely's rhythmic text gently reveals the heavy reality happening on the page. James's stupendous spreads, created with acrylic paints, never downplay the hardships children and their families face. James uses artful details to add to the story, showing kitty-less Mom and Belle, cracks in the wall around a classroom windowpane, and fading car paint. Challenges abound, but a caring hand and unexpected friendship are empathetic antidotes to uncertainty and fear. --Terry Hong