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Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry

Author Vern Kousky
Illustrated by Vern Kousky
Ebook
Penguin Young Readers | Nancy Paulsen Books
On sale Feb 24, 2015 | 32 Pages | 9780698172166
Grades K-3
Reading Level: Lexile AD630L
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An owl with an unusual passion learns to shine in this fresh, funny debut picture book introducing a poetry-loving owl whom kids will cheer for.
 
Otto loves poetry—Keats, Rossetti, Dickinson, even T. S. Eliot. He prefers reading to roosting and reciting to hunting. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a problem. But, you see, Otto is an owl. When the other owls begin to make fun of Otto, he embarks on a difficult journey, finding along the way both his inner poet and a community that accepts him for who he is. Celebrating courage and the importance of sticking with your passion, and incorporating an engaging mix of original and famous poems, Vern Kousky has created an enchanting and inviting world—a forest filled with the sounds of poetry.
VERN KOUSKY is the author-illustrator of Harold Loves His Woolly Hat, an Indie Next Pick. The book was called "accessible and appealing" in a starred review from School Library Journal. He is also the creator of Milo Is Missing and Sad Bear, among other titles. View titles by Vern Kousky
“The mixed-media illustrations, conveying the forest’s dark tones contrasted with the cartoonlike, golden Otto, are lovely, and there is a nice message of self-acceptance.”—Booklist 

“A quiet, charming story. . . . Kousky’s mixed media illustrations are comical yet endearing, and add zip to the story. This tale would be good to use when discussing individuality, courage, or perseverance; as well as making a pleasant tie-in to a poetry unit. It would make a good read-aloud or sharing one-on-one.”—School Library Connection

About

An owl with an unusual passion learns to shine in this fresh, funny debut picture book introducing a poetry-loving owl whom kids will cheer for.
 
Otto loves poetry—Keats, Rossetti, Dickinson, even T. S. Eliot. He prefers reading to roosting and reciting to hunting. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be a problem. But, you see, Otto is an owl. When the other owls begin to make fun of Otto, he embarks on a difficult journey, finding along the way both his inner poet and a community that accepts him for who he is. Celebrating courage and the importance of sticking with your passion, and incorporating an engaging mix of original and famous poems, Vern Kousky has created an enchanting and inviting world—a forest filled with the sounds of poetry.

Author

VERN KOUSKY is the author-illustrator of Harold Loves His Woolly Hat, an Indie Next Pick. The book was called "accessible and appealing" in a starred review from School Library Journal. He is also the creator of Milo Is Missing and Sad Bear, among other titles. View titles by Vern Kousky

Praise

“The mixed-media illustrations, conveying the forest’s dark tones contrasted with the cartoonlike, golden Otto, are lovely, and there is a nice message of self-acceptance.”—Booklist 

“A quiet, charming story. . . . Kousky’s mixed media illustrations are comical yet endearing, and add zip to the story. This tale would be good to use when discussing individuality, courage, or perseverance; as well as making a pleasant tie-in to a poetry unit. It would make a good read-aloud or sharing one-on-one.”—School Library Connection

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