Owl by Myself

by Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Sleepy Sheepy and The Good Egg comes an irresistible new character who insists on doing everything owl by himself today. He might not be great at it, but it’s fun to see him try!

Owl wakes up with a mission for the to do everything owl by himself. Like clean his room. (Don’t look in that corner. Or that corner…) Brush his teeth. (Just step over that small mountain of toothpaste on the floor.) And pack his backpack for school. (You can never bring too many stuffies to school!)

Follow a day in the life of the most adorable owl you’ve ever seen as he proves he’s a big boy ready to take care of himself—or at least tries his best. With art that pairs hilariously with spare text, often showing that Owl is not the most reliable narrator, this book is the perfect blend of humor and warmth. While it’s filled visual gags that will make readers laugh, it ends with a bedtime moment that will make them go aww.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, School, Birds, Self Esteem

40 pages, Library Binding

Published August 4, 2026

About the author

Pete Oswald is a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator and an Annie Award-nominated animation production designer best known for The Angry Birds Movie film franchise and Oscar® Nominated ParaNorman, in addition to multiple animated studio films. He is also known for his work as a children's book author and illustrator, and painter. Pete's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Smart Cookie, all written by Jory John.

As a character designer and concept artist, Pete has helped to uplift many of the most successful animated franchises. Among other projects, Pete has worked on Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatball 1 & 2; and Hotel Transylvania; and Oscar® Nominated ParaNorman, for which he earned an Annie Award nomination. Pete also earned two additional Annie Award nominations for shorts that he directed and designed: The Story of Walls and Doubtsourcing.

Pete’s author debut, Hike, was shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal. It published early 2020 from Candlewick Press. The Attack of the Underwear Dragon and The Return of the Underwear Dragon, written by Scott Rothman and illustrated by Pete, are both indie-bestsellers. The Food Group Series published by HarperCollins, includes The Bad Seed (2017), The Good Egg (2019), The Cool Bean (2019), The Couch Potato (2020), The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape! (2020), The Smart Cookie (2021), The Bad Egg Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky (2021), and The Sour Grape (2022) written by Jory John and illustrated by Pete. All five released books have been on The New York Times Bestseller List for children's picture books.

Passionate about painting, Pete is also active in the fine arts space. He recently debuted a collection of paintings inspired by the California Coast, in the pop-up art gallery show, “Pacific Abstract.” The show, hosted at Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station, captures his observations in an impressionistic, yet graphic style. The series celebrates Pete’s affinity for his favorite coastline, inspired by his personal experiences since moving to Los Angeles from his native Utah to attend Loyola Marymount University. Pete previously has shown his work at WWA Gallery in Culver City.

Pete lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife and three sons.

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public library copy

This was a very cute tale of a little owl wanting to do things by himself. Sometimes he succeeds, sometimes he doesn't, and there are some things that are better when he gets help. I really liked the fact that he had a baby sibling, and sometimes helped the baby. My grandson is eighteen months old and will be a big brother in the spring, and pointing out the ways that Owl is a good big brother will be very helpful. I liked the silliness, like Owl entangling himself in his shoelaces. There are just a few sentences on each page, so this will read quickly. The illustrations are lovely, and have a calm and reassuring color palette, with soft blues, greens, and browns. I saw the cover of this and requested it from the public library. Now I feel like I need to pick up all of John and Oswald's Food Group books like The Cool Bean and The Smart Cookie!

[Cheryl Gladfelter]

Cannot say this title, I have to just belt it out loudly, with feeling.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations, created with scanned gouache textures that were then digitally painted in Photoshop, are the stars in this humorous and oh, so relatable picture book. Any child who has ever insisted that he/she/they can do something all by themselves--or any parent who's ever heard that assertion will smile in recognition of how far the end results of this determined little owl are from its intended goals. The various scenes show Owl's attempts to clean up his room, tie his shoelaces, feed the class turtle, and get ready for bed are amusing, especially when looking at his parents' reaction. And no one will be surprised to learn that he needs help with one important thing at the end of the day. Share this one as a bedtime read aloud.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kindergartners heard that I got a new box of books and insisted I share one with them right away. We laughed our way through the story as the owl tries so hard to do things by himself. (They shoe tying image was by far our favorite. These illustrations are truly adorable! I cannot wait to see more Owl books in the future!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today is a momentous day! Owl is going to do everything "owl" by himself! Well, maybe not everything ...

This was very cute!! We all know toddlers and other littles who are intent on doing things on their own. My middle used to say, "Me do it!" And owl does try. But also recognizes that sometimes things are more fun when you don't do it by yourself. Especially bedtime!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Owl spends the day doing many things all by himself.

I don't care for books meant for pre-readers that intentionally mispronounce words. Also, why is this owl, a nocturnal bird, going to bed at night?

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and adorable little owl who strives to do everything "owl by himself" and earn big boy status. I like how Oswald snuck his Attack of the Underwear Dragon into the book the kids were reading during circle time. Very cute and relatable read for all little ones learning to be independent.

[Einon Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute are and very short and simple story

[ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, but basic

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good owl ST. Not as funny as his others. But a cute baby owl tries to do things by themselves and then see they may need some help some of the time.

[Kelly]

It was ok. I actually like the artwork a lot. The owl is adorable.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute play on words and super reminiscent of what it's like to have a toddler in the house. (=

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable, yet not special.

[Ann · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

My grandson really likes this book. Talks about all the things that a young one tries to do by himself.