Owly & Wormy: Bright Lights and Starry Nights! - by Andy Runton (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Owly and Wormy want to see the stars! So they gather their telescope and their lantern and head out into the dark night, all the way to the edge of their branch. Try as they might, though, they can only see leaves...and branches...and more leaves.

But these two friends are not about to let a little obstacle like foliage stop them. They head back home and stock up for a longer trip. Armed with camping gear, galoshes, and tasty treats--and their wits, of course!--Owly and Wormy set out once again. This time, though, there are even bigger challenges to face. What's that "screee" sound? What's that "click click clicking" sound?! And what happened to their telescope?!? Oh dear! But if they're brave enough, they just might discover that there are nearly as many new friends on the horizon to help them as there are stars in the sky.

Review Quotes

Discovering that their view of the sky has been blocked by tree leaves, Owly and his little vermiform housemate march out to set up their new telescope on a woodland hilltop. When heavy rains drive them into a cave that night, and eerie "Clickety skreeeeeeeee" noises send them scrambling back out, the telescope goes missing. This prompts Owly to screw his courage to the sticking place, leave his shivering buddy behind and set off on a search. As in Owly's previous picture-book (Friends All Aflutter, 2011) and graphic-novel appearances, the tale is told in big, easy-to-grasp sequential cartoons, with wordless pictures and signs in balloons creating a nonverbal language that serves just fine in place of narration or dialogue. Owly returns in triumph with not only the telescope, but a set of friendly bats to explain the scary sound effects. In a final bit of both plot and emotional resolution, Wormy's fear of the dark is transformed to delight as the camp's candle is blown out, and the seemingly empty skies overhead suddenly blaze with stars.

Young readers and pre-readers alike will respond strongly to the tale's elemental drama and clearly defined emotional arc."

--Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2012 *STAR