Owls are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet
By Sara O’Leary
ISBN13: 9781524713317
Author website: 123oleary.blogspot.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
A delightful book of curious, little-known “facts” about animals—one for each letter of the alphabet!
Did you know that chipmunks love to stay up past their bedtime? Or that dragons cry at happy endings? I bet you’d never have guessed that iguanas sometimes get homesick at sleepovers.
Sara O’Leary pulls back the curtain on the animal world and gives us an absolutely charming little one-line “fact” about one animal for each letter of the alphabet. Kids will love to see their own quirks reflected in these adorably rendered creatures, and perhaps will be comforted to know that—just like them—narwhals can be perfectly happy all on their own and quail also get tired of being told to be quiet.
Review:
Owls are Good at Keeping Secrets is an adorable alphabet book that engages a child in so many ways. First, there is the learning of an animal for each letter of the alphabet. Great. Then there are the cute illustrations. Each letter has a whimsical animal in a different setting. The topper is that each animal has their own little quirk or talent. Most are something that a child may also have or feel or be scared to admit. By bringing these out in each animal, it leaves the conversation open for a child to say, “hey I do that” or “Mom I do really want you to kiss it to make it better”. And if a dragon can cry at happy endings, maybe it is ok for a child to do the same. If elephants enjoy bath time, maybe it is not so bad. The little lessons and enrichments for a child are so subtle that I do not think a child would know they are there.
This is a great book to read together as parent and child at any time, even bedtime. Just don’t act like a chipmunk. Owls are Good at Keeping Secrets is a wonderful big book filled with colorful illustrations, funny animals, the alphabet, cute lessons, and quirks. I think any child would be excited to have this book to read or have it read to them. Not only fun but educational as well.
