WHOO-KU HAIKU

The great horned owl takes wing through illustrations and haiku.

With the assistance of illustrator Voss, here, self-confessed “bird nerd” Gianferrari indulges her “fondness for raptors” by describing the life cycle of North America’s most common owl. Gianferrari spotlights a great horned owl family as a male and female make their home in an abandoned squirrel nest, lay three eggs, and then nurture the two owlets who hatch. Choosing the spare, declarative force of haiku to tell her tale, Gianferrari interestingly juxtaposes the raw, predatory nature of these birds, as the parents hunt prey and protect their young from numerous existential threats, with a verse form traditionally reserved for depicting nature’s more pastoral scenes: “Papa delivers a snake” and “alights on the nest” with “a skunk for supper” while “crows dive-bomb and caw.” Voss’ intricate double-page spreads often utilize inset panels to capture the tension of nature in action; especially effective is a gorgeous close-up highlighting mama owl’s razor-sharp talons and tawny-flecked eyes as “Red fox launches—pounce!” aiming for one of the newly flying owlets. As a bonus to this comprehensive window into nature, Gianferrari’s notes include engaging resources to help children better understand the unique qualities of this dominant predator.

Vivid and accessible: an illuminating portrait of one of nature’s most iconic birds.