Under the Blanket Sky

March 27, 2023
In light-tinged landscapes and dreamlike lines by debut creator Fischer, an outsize owl befriends the book’s narrating child protagonist for a season. The owl materializes with no warning: “In the morning of a summer day,/... a strange creature appeared beside me./ His feathers shivered like soft grass,/ he smelled like the sky.” The pale-skinned child, who sports black glasses and a mass of curly hair, isn’t intimidated by the enormous, silvery owl, who perches on a barrel and peers down with a kindly expression. The owl speaks, too; “This does seem like a/ very nice place,” he observes. Muted, dappled sunlight illuminates the garden setting as the child plays and the owl looks on, and Fischer captures uncanny expressions as the bird watches the child draw with sidewalk chalk, play with toy figures, and brandish a sword; later, the two nap together indoors. Over the fleeting summer they share, the child recalls afterward, “the sky would stretch out/ above us each day like a blanket.” Each soothing spread unfurls like a blanket, too, in this evocative reverie. Ages 3–7. Agent: Connor Eck, Lucinda Literary.

April 1, 2023
The enchanted haze of childhood serves as the backdrop for a nostalgia-soaked tale. One summer morning, a bespectacled, light-skinned child encounters "a strange creature" in the backyard. We see what appears to be a gargantuan fuzzy owlet gazing down at the nameless young narrator, eyes sparkling. The two soon become inseparable, the child showing the newcomer "all my favorite things to do / and places to spend time." Wordless spread after wordless spread showcases a childhood filled with push-button landline phones, stuffed animals, and toy trucks, all cast in the cozy glow of sun-filtered imagery. The creature looks on as the child wields a sword, draws with sidewalk chalk, and plays with a toy robot; snuggled up against a pillow, the two fall asleep together. We're deep in "Puff, the Magic Dragon" territory here as autumn arrives and the friend must move on as our hero prepares for the first day of school. Fischer leans heavily on Gen-X wistfulness in his illustrations, conjuring up a world absent of adults or even other people. While the dreamlike art proves to be the true lure, the storytelling rehashes a familiar theme more likely to be appreciated by grown-ups--saying goodbye to a beloved part of childhood on the path to growing up. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Sunlight and feathers are the stars of the show, but the intended audience of this story is clearly its adult consumers. (Picture book. 3-6)

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April 1, 2023
Grades K-2 A young boy is playing alone on a summer day when a giant owl appears. The bright-eyed bird also is alone and ready to befriend the quiet, smaller child. The boy takes the owl to his favorite places, such as a storage area full of unused items, the boy's room, and various other parts of the rural house and yard. Vintage furnishings place the story in an earlier time and extend the atmosphere of nostalgia. No other people are shown, making the owl the boy's sole companion. Is it magical? A lonely child's fantasy? Soft, feathery illustrations add to the dreamlike quality of the story. When the sky begins to change and the wind carries the first hint of fall coolness, the pictures show more birds overhead, and the owl must say goodbye. Summer is ending and the boy is returning to school. His friend is gone, but he is comforted by memories, still feeling the owl's love. Mysterious and contemplative, this muted story provides room for reflection.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 3-A young boy is briefly joined by a "strange creature" one summer morning. The creature returns and stays while the sun continues to shine through the days. Together they enjoy the long lazy summer and its myriad activities. When the boy wonders whether "things will always be this way" he begins to learn the importance of enjoying the moment and what it takes to let go of someone he loves. Before returning to school, he reflects on these months where "the sky would stretch out" before them. The unnamed boy and the oversized owl are presented with such detail that the bond between them is at the center of each image. The dreamlike coloring of the scenes, with pastel hues and bright white accents, create sun-filled days with an unhurried pace. Images appear as digitally enhanced softened landscapes with a nostalgic feel. The sharp detail of the owl's feathers and the boy's hair draw readers into each scene and into the relationship. The text, especially dialogue, is a true representation of a child's language and thoughts regarding the abstract idea of letting go. VERDICT With an owl creature that is unique and oversized pulling onlookers into the tale, this is a strong purchase for collections where animal stories circulate.-Danielle Schwessinger

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