Review by Deborah K. Frontiera
The Story of Journey, an informative picture book is great for the older end of the picture book range. Filled with well researched facts about how baby owls are raised might be a bit too much for pre-k and Kindergarten children. But it is great for kids who can listen to a little more detailed text and older elementary children who are already reading. Parents and teachers of younger children might need to paraphrase or pick and choose parts of the book to read. When a younger child becomes more interested, the rest could be covered in subsequent readings.
The author did her research well and had input from an actual wildlife rehabilitator, which adds to the authority in the message. This reviewer was intrigued by the fact that baby owls roam the branches of the tree in which their nest is before they learn to fly. Relating this to a time frame—the fact that they are “branchers” in June and fly in July—helps readers understand how much longer owl parents work than some other types of birds.
The illustrations are also well researched to be accurate, adding as much to the information as the text. This reviewer especially liked the illustration of a rehabilitator’s gloved hand, and the straps used to secure a young owl while it is being held by a human. It would have been even better, though, if the author had only had enough page space to add a little more detail about owl rehabilitation. What did she feed Journey? If Journey had been able to fly again, what would the process have been to return him to the wild? Sadly, these and other questions remain unanswered. Perhaps they were answered when Journey traveled with Phyllis Carlson to teach groups about owls. Maybe they could be posted on a website now that Journey has been retired from educational programs.
The pages about owl facts after Journey’s story were equally informative. Detailed illustrations and descriptions of an owl’s wings, talons, and hearing add much to any reader’s knowledge. To know that owls can hear a mouse under the snow up to one-half mile away made this reviewer (who wears hearing aids) green with envy. Hopefully, the author will expand the places where the book is available, both in stores and online. We wish this author much luck and encourage schools, libraries, and parents to search for copies.
The Story of Journey the Great Horned Owl
By Carol Shultz with Phyllis Carlson
ISBN 979-8-9870288-1-0, Schultz Publishing through Stacey Wiley, Globe Printing Inc., Ishpeming MI, 2023. No retail price available.
