The Owl Who Became the Moon [Hardcover]

Jonathan London (Author), Ted Rand (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1993 | Age Level: 3 and up

Sights and sounds are the focus of this breathtaking picture book about a boy who rides on a night train as it winds its solitary path through a snow-covered mountain world. From the ticktacking of the train's wheels on the tracks to the "whoo-whooooing" of an owl, readers can listen and watch as the lyrical story unfolds. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Frosty, midnight blues accompany a rhythmic, onomatopoeic text to evoke a ride aboard a night train. A sleepbound boy muses about such a journey, "through a forest / in the dark / under the stars." With spare elegance, London celebrates both the beauty of nighttime ("the snow flutters / like white butterflies / in the steam / and in the beam / of light / from the locomotive") and the power of the train ("it ticktacks / down the tracks / and snakes through a tunnel / blacker than night"). Likewise, Rand's ( Night Tree ) luminous paintings capture the watchful activity of nocturnal creatures across a snowy landscape bisected by the chugging engine. He combines ground chalk, india ink and watercolors to achieve a remarkable range of textures and densities, from the owl's feathers to the glittering snow. While the image of the title proves cryptic, the poetry and hushed excitement of this arresting collaboration should earn it a place atop the stack of bedtime read-aloud favorites. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- In this quiet story, readers climb aboard a train on a snowy evening as it travels through the night forest. A bird's-eye view is provided by an owl as it "soars silent as a shadow" and looks down upon a bear, a cougar, mice, and bunnies before and as they curl up for a good night's sleep. Only an owl's hooting and the sound of the train as it "ticktacks down the tracks" break the lovely calm. This poet's talent shines through the spare, lyrical text. Rand's watercolor, ink, and chalk illustrations capture the varying shades of the night; the brilliant design reveals sweeping views of the forest, train, and owl, while small pictures framed in white focus on particular animals, and even smaller ones bring readers right into the den or burrow. A perfect choice for bedtime sharing.
- Marianne Saccardi, Whitby School American Montessori Center, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; Library edition edition (February 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525450548
• ISBN-13: 978-0525450542
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and works magic on toddlers at bedtime, February 8, 1999

By 

G. B. Winter "An American who can love it and... (Birthplace of Teddy Roosevelt, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Owl Who Became the Moon (Hardcover)

One of the most beautiful books and poetic books I've seen for children. Found it at the library and had to get it for my 2 year old. It always does its magic for her at bedtime and quiets her down. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story, September 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Owl Who Became the Moon (Hardcover)

We also found this book at the library and my three year old is rapt every time it is read to him. The text is beautiful and simple and given to such lovely soft inflections and cadences that you can easily create winter and the sound of a train as it travels through the night. We have read this story every night for over the past six weeks.