Under the Blanket Sky

In light-tinged landscapes and dreamlike lines by debut creator Fischer, an outsize owl befriends the book's narrating child protagonist for a season. The owl materializes with no warning: "In the morning of a summer day,/... a strange creature appeared beside me./ His feathers shivered like soft grass,/ he smelled like the sky." The pale-skinned child, who sports black glasses and a mass of curly hair, isn't intimidated by the enormous, silvery owl, who perches on a barrel and peers down with a kindly expression. The owl speaks, too; "This does seem like a/ very nice place," he observes. Muted, dappled sunlight illuminates the garden setting as the child plays and the owl looks on, and Fischer captures uncanny expressions as the bird watches the child draw with sidewalk chalk, play with toy figures, and brandish a sword; later, the two nap together indoors. Over the fleeting summer they share, the child recalls afterward, "the sky would stretch out/ above us each day like a blanket." Each soothing spread unfurls like a blanket, too, in this evocative reverie. Ages 3-7. Agent: Connor Eck, Lucinda Literary. (May)

PreS-Gr 3--A young boy is briefly joined by a "strange creature" one summer morning. The creature returns and stays while the sun continues to shine through the days. Together they enjoy the long lazy summer and its myriad activities. When the boy wonders whether "things will always be this way" he begins to learn the importance of enjoying the moment and what it takes to let go of someone he loves. Before returning to school, he reflects on these months where "the sky would stretch out" before them. The unnamed boy and the oversized owl are presented with such detail that the bond between them is at the center of each image. The dreamlike coloring of the scenes, with pastel hues and bright white accents, create sun-filled days with an unhurried pace. Images appear as digitally enhanced softened landscapes with a nostalgic feel. The sharp detail of the owl's feathers and the boy's hair draw readers into each scene and into the relationship. The text, especially dialogue, is a true representation of a child's language and thoughts regarding the abstract idea of letting go. VERDICT With an owl creature that is unique and oversized pulling onlookers into the tale, this is a strong purchase for collections where animal stories circulate.--Danielle Schwessinger