Brave Enough for Two (Hoot & Olive Series #1)

by Jonathan D. Voss

Overview

A heartwarming picture book about friendship that is sure to become a classic from debut author-illustrator Jonathan D. Voss.

Olive is a little girl who likes the types of adventures that exist in books. Her best friend Hoot, a stuffed-animal owl, prefers the ones that take place in the real world. Today, Hoot gets to pick the adventures. At first, Olive isn't sure if she's brave enough for the activities Hoot has picked: flying a makeshift hot-air balloon and navigating raging rivers. But when her dearest friend gets hurt, Olive discovers that she's not only brave, she's brave enough for two.

Told with whimsical text and filled with bold, captivating illustrations, Brave Enough for Two is the story of a little girl, her stuffed-animal owl, and their loving friendship.

"An instant classic." —BookPage

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250207425
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	06/12/2018
Series:	Hoot & Olive Series , #1
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jonathan D. Voss was a portrait artist and graphic designer before becoming a children's book illustrator. Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally Walker was his first book. Brave Enough for Two is his author-illustrator debut. He lives in North Carolina with his family.

Editorial Reviews

06/04/2018
Olive is a little girl who, when it comes to adventure, prefers “the kind found in books.” But her best friend, a stuffed owl named Hoot, promises her that he is “brave enough for both of us” and convinces her to come along on an escapade that starts with hot-air ballooning (powered by a multitude of birthday balloons) and ends on the high seas, with the balloon’s basket as the boat. In his author-illustrator debut, Voss (illustrator of Sally Walker’s Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh) tells a supportive story of friendship and taking chances, illustrated in burnished-toned compositions that take on a cinematic expansiveness. Hoot’s initial gallantry and protectiveness is sweet (“We can never be lost,” he says, “As long as I’m here and you’re there, and here and there aren’t very far apart”), but in the end, it’s Olive who proves to be the steadfastly brave one: “I was afraid today …But you were brave. And you kept me safe,” says Hoot. “Don’t ever be afraid,” Olive replies, “I’ll always keep you safe.” Ages 4–8. Agent: Catherine Drayton, InkWell Management. (June)

Publishers Weekly

"Brave Enough for Two is an instant classic, as is its enduring message of friendship and pluck." —BookPage

"Find room for this kind and gentle friendship story...perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing." —School Library Journal

"[A] supportive story of friendship and taking chances, illustrated in burnished-toned compositions that take on a cinematic expansiveness." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

06/01/2018
PreS-Gr 2—Hoot, a stuffed owl, and Olive, a winsome and messy-haired girl, are best friends. Olive likes to experience adventures from the safety of her window seat, her nose in a book. Hoot prefers the real thing and promises to be brave enough for them both. "We can never be lost so long as I'm here and you're there, and here and there aren't very far apart," he tells the wary child. A simple balloon ride turns frightening during a rainstorm, ending safely as Hoot unties the helium balloons one at a time to ensure a soft landing. But a ride down the river scares them both, and Hoot feels defeated when he discovers a hole in his covering, and some stuffing leaking out. Now it is time for Olive to be brave enough for two, and end their adventure tucked into bed with a book. Voss's digitally colored pen-and-ink watercolor paintings are soft and lovely, with half-page smudgy thumbnail pencil drawings a sort of storyboard for the narrative. The language is similarly soft and lovely, and a bit Milnesque: "The pair rolled out, head over bottom, into a patch of grass." It's only natural that Voss's characters share a Pooh and Christopher Robin relationship; he is the illustrator of Sally Walker's 2015 title that tells the story of the real Winnie the Pooh. VERDICT The cover calls this a "Hoot & Olive Story,"suggesting there are more to come. Find room for this kind and gentle friendship story in most collections; perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence

School Library Journal

2018-04-18
A girl overcomes fears and helps her favorite friend.Olive has a BFF—Hoot, a large, chubby toy owl. Olive likes her excitement in books, while Hoot's eager for genuine adventures. When Hoot tells Olive he's prepared a surprise for her that "could be a small bit scary," she's wary, declaring that she isn't as brave as he. A balloon-powered flight higher than Olive appreciates ensues, as does a speedy boat ride. Through both exploits, Hoot reminds scared Olive he'll keep her safe. Then Hoot discovers his bottom's torn; he's lost stuffing. Olive now declares she'll "be brave enough for both of us." Leading them both safely home, she repairs the rip. While sweet, this friendship story may confuse readers. Is Olive imagining the adventures, with Hoot the stand-in for her courage, or have the thrilling feats been propelled by the toy's own agency? Kids may not mind, but some adults might frown that a girl repeatedly protests fearfulness while a male demonstrates daring ingenuity. Finally, what's brave about walking home and sewing (another stereotyped female activity)? The artwork (rendered in watercolors, pen, and ink, and with colors added digitally) fares better, the illustrations displaying colorful, sweeping spreads and commanding aerial perspectives; occasionally, more-intimate black-line sketches appear in margins with text. Olive has pale skin, ruddy cheeks, button eyes, and wind-blown brown locks.A well-meaning but just so-so friendship story. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews