When I was trying to locate The Christmas Owl: Based on the True Story of a Little Owl Named Rockefeller (and I wished they kept that name instead of shortening it to Rocky) I noticed there were six or seven different books about this owl who learns what Christmas means.
I had not even heard of the real story last year, let alone Gideon Sterer and Ellen Kalish’s book. And here by accident I learn there are not one but half a dozen books about the true story of an owl that was caught in her tree and taken to the big city to be the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. The journey starts with Rockefeller playing with her woodland friends, seeing the decorations of their New York town as it starts turning to Christmas (though none of the animals know what that actual is) and then the trip to New York City, where she is found and sent to be rehabilitated due to her dehydration and lack of food.
Of course there is the fantasy element of how Rocky learns that Christmas is her tree, and the caring a human gave her (even though humans cut down her tree) and the friendship of the other animals around her.
This sweet story about a little owl and a big adventure also has gorgeous illustrations done by Ramona Kaulitzki. The story itself is fun, but okay, now what? It is Kaulitzki’s art that is rich, soft, deep, and powerfully created to make things come alive. The colors pop and yet, are not overwhelming. There are plenty of details, and yes, it is crowded, but that is NYC for you! They were my favorite part of the story.
My second favorite was the afterwards by the author that ties everything together with the real story of Rockefeller and their own journey with animals.
Including the ISBN-13 9780316299121 for easier access to this one.
