Owliver

by Robert Kraus, Ariane Aruega, Jose; Dewey (Illustrator)

Although each one of his parents expects him to be different things when he grows up, a little owl makes up his own mind in the end.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Robert Kraus was an American children's author, cartoonist and publisher. Founder and publisher of Windmill Books, author and illustrator of award-winning children's books, Kraus began as a cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...]

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

BeBe's story time for Elinor :

This is a story about a young dramatic owl trying to decide what he will be when he grows up .My daughter loved this book when she was 4 . She would ask me to read it to her over and over, so eventually I recorded it on her tape recorder so she could listen to it whenever she wanted. I decided to read it to her 4 year old daughter, Elinor, to see if she would love it as much as her mother had. Elinor enjoyed it , but she loves the Gruffalo and Gruffalo's Child the most.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really cute story up until the ending. Unfortunately, the final page has nothing to do with the rest of the story. I honestly debated giving it 2 stars just because of the ending. The illustrations are adorable, though. I'm not sure I'd recommend it unless you were going to try to explain the ending in terms of we never know what the future might hold.

[Warren Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about a young owl not knowing what he wants to be. The last page is classic because he chooses what he wants to be and not his parents. The illustrations are great as well.

[Fjóla · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've read a lot of the Ariane Dewey/José Aruego collaborations, their illustrations are so much fun. This one, written by Robert Kraus, is one of their better titles (some of the other books we've found are quite silly), along with for instance Milton The Early Riser and Leo the Late Bloomer. It's the same situation as in Leo, mom and dad worry about their offspring and what route he is going to take in life. Everything works out well, with or without their intervention. The pictures were colorful as ever.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet illustrations and simple text tell the story of Owliver a young and very dramatic owl. His parents encourage him in his interests - his mother gets him acting lessons, since he loves to act, and his father gets him "doctor and lawyer" toys to encourage a more...practical career. Owliver takes all of this in stride, and, like most real-life children, chooses his own career. Funny and charming, my storytime audience loved it.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about an owl whose parents disagreed on his future career - should he be a lawyer or a doctor? Or should he be a playwright or an actor? And they each bought him the toys to further their goals. But when he grew up, he became... a firefighter!

That ending never fails to draw the giggles.

[Kacie Fincher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun and easy read especially for young children. Great story line about an owl who wants so badly to become an actor when he grows up but his father wants him to be a doctor or a lawyer. Owliver's mother encourages his desire to be an actor and enjoys it when he acts for her and their neighbors. My favorite part of the book is when we find out what Owliver really becomes when he grows up.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oldie, but a goodie. This is the original 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus'. The Owl's emotions and the format of the book could have been written by Mo Willems. Strange that an owl and a pigeon could be so related . . .

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very simple book, but can be used to teach a lot. I think that the biggest lesson that can be learned from "Owliver" is that you can be whoever you want to be if you set your mind to it. It is a cute, easy read for children.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

About an little owl who loves to act, despite the fact that his father wants him to be a lawyer or doctor. He then ends up a fireman. Great illustrations, as my professor says, "they look like an iconographic film."

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and perfect for storytime. Owliver's mother wants him to be an actor or playwright, but Owliver's father wants him to be a doctor or lawyer. In the end, Owliver makes his own choice and becomes something completely different.

[Jen H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about an owl who loves to act. Can be used for making predictions as well- what will Owliver be when he grows up?

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owliver likes to act. His mother encourages it. His father wants him to be a doctor or a lawyer. Owliver goes along with it. What career does he choose when he grows up?

[Bridget R. Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. I always like owl heroes. This would be great for a "what do want to be when you grow up?" story time.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

WHAT?!?!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this quirky one about how a child can grow up to be whatever he wants to be.

[Taylor Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet book with a great ending. I mean, who... who... who doesn't love owls? The illustrations are even cuter than the story. Very colorful.