Title: Whoo-Ku Haiku, A Great Horned Owl Story
Author: Maria Gianferrari
Illustrator: Jonathan Voss
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2020
Ages: 5-8
Themes: poetry, haiku, great horned owls
Opening:
A great horned owl pair
Finds squirrel’s nest of oak leaves
Perched high in a pine.
Papa adds birch bark
Nest blanketed with feathers
Snow sleeps on the ground.
Synopsis:
Watch as a pair of great horned owlets peep and squeak in their feathered nest. Mama and Papa hunt for food and fend off predators while the chicks grow strong enough to hop and flap between the branches of their tree, then leap and fly away, ready to explore the wild world around them.
In this thrilling nonfiction picture book, a combination of haiku and dazzling illustration shows readers the fierce majesty of one of North America’s most ubiquitous wild animals. (publisher)
Why I like this book:
As a long time owl fan, I was smitten by the use of haiku to tell the story of a Great Horned Owl pair, from the making of a nest, laying the eggs, to the growth and development of the two owlets. There’s a full story arc included with great nonfiction details, and this poetic form fits both the raw reality of the predatory nature of these birds as well as their parental care. The haiku make the book very accessible even to young children.
The watercolor illustrations are detailed and beautifully natural, truly like paintings with some amazing close-ups of these predators. The majesty and mystery of these lovely birds are captured through text and art alike. This is a nature-lover’s dream.
The back matter includes more fascinating facts about the Great Horned Owl and suggestions for further resources making it perfect to include in both poetry and nature units in class.
Activities/Resources:
Quick Q & A with Maria.
[JM] What came first the poetic form, the story line or the animal choice? And what made you feel that haiku fit this story best?
[MG] Unusually for me, the title came first, created by my then elementary school aged daughter. We used to “write” haikus to pass the time while on long car rides. She wrote her own version of Whoo-Ku and gifted it to me when she was in third grade. Years later I decided to write my own and settled on Great horned owls, since their range is very widespread, giving kids who live all over North America, whether in rural or urban regions, a chance to possibly see them.
[JM] How much did you know about the Great Horned Owl before beginning this story?
[MG] I knew some very general things about them, things like their size and approximate range. But the really fun part about research is learning new and cool things. Whoo knew that they’re one of the few creatures who prey on skunks?!
[JM] What is your favorite spread fromWhoo-Ku Haiku?
[MG] That’s such a hard question! I love Jonathan’s art—it’s stunning, full of intricate detail and dramatic tension. I think it’s a tie between the hatching chicks and the scene where the owlet is trying to escape from the red fox. I love how Jonathan portrayed the danger there, both for the owlet and for the red fox, from Mama owl’s sharp talons.
[JM] How many times might you take a manuscript to your critique group before you present it to your agent?
[MG] It really depends on the manuscript. Some seem to pour out in almost ready form, though not very often, while others require multiple drafts to find the real heart of the story. This one didn’t take that many drafts before I sent it to my agent, Joan Paquette, and before it was acquired by Ari Lewin at Putnam. In general, my nonfiction picture books tend to take fewer drafts than my fiction picture books do.
[JM] Any tips for a child/family who wants to go owling for the first time?
[MG] Start by reading one of my favorite owl books, Owl Moon, by Jane Yolen, and then contact a local Audubon or wildlife conservation group in your area which might offer night birding hikes or “owl prowls.”
[JM] Can you share what you are working on at the moment?
[MG] I’m working on—what a surprise—another dog book, though this one is more of a concept book rather than a narrative. Other than that, I am mostly between projects at the moment and have been doing some edits for some recently acquired projects scheduled for release in 2021.
WHOO’s Maria Gianferrari? She’s a self-proclaimed bird nerd with a special fondness for raptors. Her love affair with birds began in 7th grade science class when her teacher, Mr. Lefebvre, initiated a bird count. While walking in her neighborhood, Maria’s always on the look-out for all kinds of birds, and she loves searching winter tree tops for nests in her northern Virginia neighborhood where she lives with her German-scientist husband and German speaking daughter. This is her first book with GP Putnam’s Sons. She’s also the author of another bird book, Hawk Rising. To learn more about Maria, please visit her website: mariagianferrari.com.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
ANYONE WHO COMMENTS BELOW WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE GIVEAWAY (US residents only) EDITED TO ADD: the winner of the random draw was Susan Uhlig
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Not only did you share a great book, but you also gave us a wonderful interview, too! Thanks so much, Joanna. Considering how much I love owls, especially the one that frequents the tall pine tree outside my bedroom window, I know I’m going to enjoy each Whoo-Ku in this book! 🙂
woohoo, you have an owl too! Lovely.
Would love to see it, and hear it! You are very lucky to have such a visitor right outside your window, especially in these trying times. Something beautiful to appreciate!
I am sooo looking forward to reading this book! I think it’s amazing how the violence and tenderness of nature is depicted so artfully. And to write the story in haiku, well, inspired! Thank you for a great review and insight into the genesis of this story. Cheers!
Yes, it is an inspirational ext for writers too.
I really hope you will like it, Jilanne :). I know you will love the illustrations–they’re so beautiful!
I thought of you and your great haiku story many years ago when I read a review of this last week! Kids love owls and I’m sure this will be a happy hit with readers. I really want to read this book — especially after your review! I loved the cover, but you’ve shown the artwork which is magnificent. Great story for authors to study, too.
Thanks for remembering all my endangered species haiku, Pat. This is such a great example of the poetry and the art is jaw-dropping.
Owls are the coolest creatures for sure, Patricia! I hope you will like it!
I wish my small town library had this book. Looks great.
Try asking if they will order it. Mine almost always say yes to these requests.
Sue, I was going to suggest the same as Joanna. Many libraries have “suggest a title” programs, and if you give them the info (ISBN# and links to reviews), they may agree to purchase it for you.
Sadly, I only have one review in, luckily a nice one, from Kirkus. I have several for most of my other books, so I don’t know what happened with this one 🙁
I hope that they will order it for you & that you will enjoy it :)!
I love this book and your interview is wonderful. (Don’t add me to the giveaway, though)
I am so glad you reviewed it too, Maria. It deserves a wide audience!
<3 <3 <3 You're the best, Joanna!!!
Hello, Maria! You’re the best too!!!
Thanks so much, Joanna!!!
I also can’t wait to read another one of Maria’s books. And the artwork in this one I’d frame and proudly display in my home. Congrats on all your publishing success.
Thanks for stopping by and for all of your support, Danielle!
I loved Hawk Rising & have been eagerly anticipating Maria’s latest bird book, too. What a great way to introduce children to both poetry & to these majestic birds.
Thanks for the Hawk Rising love, Patricia :). I hope you will enjoy this bird-y book too!
This is such a lovely post and I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. Congrats, Maria, on another beautiful and poetic picture book about animals we love.
I appreciate learning more about this beautiful book!
Thanks, Joanna, and congratulations, Maria!
Thanks so much, Jane :)!
These illustrations are gorgeous! Heard the owls hooting in my front tree again last night, as soon as I was done shoveling. Will be looking for this when the library opens again!
How cool is that!! Eulen sind toll!
And Jonathan’s illustrations are amazing–so lucky to have been matched with him!
Danke!