Cock-A-Doodle-Hooooooo!
PreSchool-Grade 2–Can an owl find happiness in a henhouse? The answer is yes, at least in this farmyard. Desperately in need of a home, he takes refuge in a shed one stormy night and learns at daybreak that the hens who live there are in need of a rooster. He doesn't have the necessary qualifications, and, with one notable exception, no one considers him a candidate–until he uses a skill for which he is well recognized against an intruding rat. The bird's unique ability wins over his critics, and his future appears to be happily settled. Children will enjoy the humorous simplicity of the story and the colorful, cartoonlike illustrations. Those who are able to read it on their own will take additional pleasure from the speech bubbles. Owl's wide-eyed expressions and juxtaposition to the hens are sure to capture the attention of the intended audience. Libraries looking for a new read-aloud for a farm-themed storyhour will want to consider letting Owl roost on their shelves.–Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.