Just One Owl

I Like to Read

by Carolyn Crimi, Janie Bynum (illustrator)

An easy-to-read story about making friends. Perfect for kindergarteners and first-graders to read on their own.

Two squirrels. Two leaves. Two deer.

“One owl,” said Owl.

Where is a friend to play with?

Owl searches the forest for a friend. But when an unlikely prospect shares its tree, Owl discovers his perfect companion--a bat! With endearing, kid-friendly illustrations that children will love!

With simple text that is leveled by educational experts, kindergarteners and 1st graders can read this story on their own. Includes phonics features. Decodable words and sight works are listed in the book.

The books in the award-winning I Like to Read series build vocabulary and promote fluency, which are essential for reading success. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original high-quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read again and again with their parents, teachers, or on their own!

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Carolyn Crimi, AKA the Pirate Queen, is the author of numerous books for young readers, including BORIS AND BELLA, illustrated by Gris Grimly. Of HENRY AND THE BUCCANEER BUNNIES, she says, "While I don't have long floppy ears or a pro-nounced overbite, Henry and I are kindred spirits, who love books and carrots!"

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dawn to dusk quest for friendship with a sweet and satisfying resolution. An owl with rounded features and feathery eyelashes feels lonely (“Where is a friend to fly with?”). Throughout the day, she repeatedly sees “Two squirrels. Just one owl” and two deer, but still only one owl. Short, simple sentences (delivered through a combination of talk bubbles and narration) effectively build anticipation for the appearance of another nocturnal creature, the cute, purple bat shown on the cover. As the diurnal animals turn in for the night, “two eyes shone in the dark” and the wait for companionship is over: one bat, one owl, “Two friends.”. The very limited vocabulary, supported by simple watercolor illustrations, will make this an approachable and engaging text for early readers. Curriculum support is provided at the front of the book, including a list of the story’s phonic features. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this beginning reader, part of the excellent "I Like to Read" series that gives youngsters practice in reading, one lonely owl flies across the sky, looking for a friend. It takes some time, but eventually, he finds one. But it won't be the friend readers expect. The soft digital and watercolor media artwork is soothing, eye-appealing, and interesting. The text provides practice with long, short, and variant vowels as well as sight words and homophones. Books such as this one and this series don't become boring even after multiple reads.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn't give my 8 year old daughter any trouble.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun to read, adorable friendship story! My 2-1/2-year-old granddaughter and 5-year-old grandson love it!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent beginning reader picture book -
Simple and repetitive sentences are perfect for beginning readers.