Customer Reviews

Adopted By An Owl (Hazel Ridge Farm Stories)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are looking for a beautiful example of love and dedication, look no more. This is a true story that will inspire readers of all ages to think about the world around them and the balance of nature that exists within that world. The illustrations are art that truly come from the heart. The text is enthralling and personal. The reader can visualize the two girls in the family who name the owl Jackson, "Faster than you could say bouncing, bobbling ponytails four times."

As a teacher of young children, I can attest to the appeal that this book will hold for all. Readers often ask what it is that compels writers to write or artists to paint. One answer to that question can be found in this book. Write and draw what you know and love.

As a naturalist who works with a permanently injured Great Horned Owl, I can say that besides being stunning, the illustrations in this book capture the true facial expressions and body postures of a Great Horned Owl. The information in this book not only draws you into the story, but it is very accurate and educational. I can't recommend this book highly enough to someone looking to present enthralling, accurate information about owl biology to youngsters (or adults for that matter!)

Adopted By An Owl is a truly enduring tale. It tells of the Van Frankehuyzen family's rehabilitation of a Great Horned Owl and of the Owl, named Jackson, taking to the family as if he were the family dog! It is just amazing to read about the Jackson's interactions with the family, his healing process, and his overall protectiveness of them. Most people see these critters as frightening but you see how amazingly enough, Jackson was able to be both a free wild bird and yet an integral part of the family for many years. This is a wonderful book to share with Children as I think it helps to teach them compassion towards animals. It shows children that we can all be a part of nature by helping even the littlest creature live on. Hopefully, it teaches some that certain animals are not meant to be in captivity either .If you like this book, you must look for Saving Samantha. It is the Van Frankehuyzen's journal account of raising a baby fox pup who they found as a small kitten captured in a trap. I do not want to give too much away, but as a bookseller, this is my favorite Sleeping Bear Press children's book to date!

The illustrations (paintings) in this book are worth the price alone. They are absolutely stunning. A great book for your coffee table. Read it to your children or grandchildren. This book is sure to awake a sense of wonder in a young person. There are ecological concepts, such as food chains and predation, which are paramount to a youngster who needs a real world experience with living things. The great horned owl is vividly presented as a fearsome predator, yet as an individual the Van Frankenhuyzen's owl is one to be admired as well as respected. Thoreau rejoiced that there were owls. I too rejoice there are owls, and rejoice there are sensitive and compassionate naturalists who can bring the natural world into ours. What a blessing this book has been to my family. It will be read and reread again, especially when we can not get outside and tramp the woods and fields for our own owls!

Both the pictures and the story are wonderful. The expressions given to the owl are great and the story is very warm and touching.

This is the only book I could keep the interest of my [child] for the Whole book! I will be looking for more books written by Ms. Smith. I would like to comment on the beautiful pictures. They made me feel like I was there!

This great horned owl, Jackson, has become a
"book pet" for our family! The story and illustrations
are powerful, pathetic, hilarious, and have the
ability to draw the reader (as well as the
children who are looking and listening) into
the van Frankenhuyzen care for God's creation.
Well done! One of our grandchildren's very
favorites!

I am an elementary school teacher and I read this to my class (more than once!!) They loved it- it is a great book to discuss owl habitat and animal adaptations. The illustrations are beautiful. A great addtion to a nocturnal animal unit. Goes very well with Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat.

This story draws you into an adventure with a wild creature that touched the lives of the whole family. Not only do you enjoy each page, but you cannot wait to see what happens. My grandchildren were facinated to think that someone could relate to such a independent and beautiful raptor. The pictures are beautifully done.

You don't know me, so you probably haven't sat around with me and heard me explain (usually ad nauseum) my feelings about Melodrama being a legitimate and possibly superior alternative to the two traditional forms of storytelling: Tragedy and Comedy. I won't go into the theory and application here, but to boil it down, I feel that all art must have the ability to make people FEEL (something inherent in Melodrama but not always necessary for the two others). I say all this to give a you a sense of what a high compliment it is for me to say that Adopted by an Owl made me feel (though I wouldn't call it Melodrama).

If I was the kind of guy who used the word "Kudos" (Thank the Most High that I am not), I would say: "Kudos" to Robbyn for the clarity of her prose and the wonderful honesty of her storytelling. One experiences and understands all of Gijsbert's varied feelings toward Jackson's tentative return to the wild. Kids and parents alike will find this story worthwhile (though I had to pause for a moment in reading it aloud to my kids--because I got choked up).

The illustrations are wonderful (though very similar in palette to The Legend of Leelanau). Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen is fast becoming one of my favorite illustrators.

Read this book!