The Way Home (Owly Series #1)

by Andy Runton, Andy Runton (Illustrator)

Overview

All Owly wants is a friend...

Owly is a good-natured little owl, and he's always helping those around him. But despite his kindness, he seems to frighten would-be friends away before they even give him a chance, just because he's an owl. That all changes, though, once Owly meets Wormy. Like Owly, Wormy is in need of a good friend, too -- someone who can be counted on for a helping hand, a good laugh, and a great adventure!Through a unique blend of words and symbols, Owly can be read by the youngest readers, and is a great introduction to graphic novels!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338307474
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/04/2020
Series:	Owly Series , #1
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	194 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Andy Runton is the award-winning creator of Owly, which has earned him multiple awards, including the Eisner Award for Best Publication for a Younger Audience. The Owly books have been praised for their "charm, wisdom, and warmth" by Booklist, and WIRED.com said they are "one of the best comics for kids around. Period." Andy lives in the greater Atlanta area where he works full-time as a writer and illustrator. Visit him online at andyrunton.com.

Editorial Reviews

02/03/2020

In this first volume of the new graphic novel series based on the popular Owly picture books and comics, a sweetly patient and persistent owl finds belonging and a faithful circle of friends through generous, helpful acts. In the first of the two stories, “Finding Home,” kindhearted Owly rescues a drowning worm and sleeplessly tends to the shivering visitor. In the morning, upon learning that Wormy has been separated from his family, the two create a map and form a plan to reunite Wormy with his parents. In the second, “Flying Home,” Owly and Wormy, now roommates with matching gardening hats and a shared interest in helping others, offer aid to two hungry hummingbirds and quickly befriend them. Runton’s illustrations glow with vivid and lustrous color, the characters all delightfully expressive. There are hints of sadness and danger, such as the devastating storm that originally separated Wormy from his family, as well as a scene in which one of the hummingbirds is trapped in a cage. The majority of Owly’s adventures, though, are buoyed by kindness and goodwill. Ages 7–10. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Owly: The Way Home:"Runton's evocative characters are nothing short of huggably adorable and affirm the importance of compassion and empathy against perceived stereotypes... A simple but by no means simplistic tale emphasizing the universality of kindness." — Kirkus Reviews"As always, Owly is a steadfast and indispensable friend to everyone he meets, including young readers in search of warmhearted adventure." — School Library Journal"Runton's illustrations glow with vivid and lustrous color, the characters all delightfully expressive." — Publishers Weekly"A cute little tale." — School Library ConnectionPraise for the Owly series: "Appeals to all ages... Equally noteworthy are the expressive drawings and universal lessons of persistence, kindness, and loyalty." — People"Delightfully sweet... Even readers older than the target audience will appreciate the book's simple charm, wisdom, and warmth." — Booklist

From the Publisher

01/10/2020

K-Gr 4—Owly is back, in color and with dialogue and narration! This book comprises two of the gentle little owl's earliest stories, "Finding Home" and "Flying Home" (formerly known as "The Bittersweet Summer"). In each, Owly gives selflessly, whether that means distributing food to other animals or taking a tumble to save someone smaller from danger. Unlike the other animals, who speak English, Owly speaks via pictures and symbols. Nonetheless, all communicate with ease; facial expressions, body language, and captions make characters' emotions and motives clear. Friends are always beaming in one another's presence and on the verge of tears when separated. As in previous installments, the rounded, large-eyed cartoon characters will endear themselves to readers, but now bright hues add further detail, effectively conveying Owly's sunny world and occasional shadows. Pages are almost never more than two panels wide, and each story wraps up on a high note over a few single-panel pages. Thick gutters make the frequent 2x3 layouts easy to follow. The loss of the wordless format from previous editions means young readers will learn to navigate over, around, and through short word balloons. Never fear: Runton's visual communication remains extremely fertile ground for parents and children to discuss how characters feel and why they act the way they do. VERDICT As always, Owly is a steadfast and indispensable friend to everyone he meets, including young readers in search of warmhearted adventure.—Thomas Maluck, Richland Library, SC

School Library Journal

2019-10-09
A wide-eyed owl yearns to make friends.

Owly, a gentle bird of prey, just wants to help. The other forest creatures fear him even when he approaches with kindness and support. Owly tries leaving seed to feed the smaller birds, but they flee when they spot him. He rescues two insects trapped in a jar, but again, they fly off when they spy the raptor. Owly's luck turns when he aids a worm named Wormy trapped in a puddle. Wormy and Owly forge an unlikely but genial friendship, and their forest adventures include reuniting Wormy with his missing parents and then befriending—and ultimately having to say goodbye to—two lovely hummingbirds who must migrate south as the seasons change. When adversity challenges Owly, he reacts calmly, communicates his feelings with Wormy, and acts with warmth and bravery. Originally published in 2004 as a wordless, black-and-white volume, this reissue adds both color, with a cheery earth-toned palette, and dialogue among most of the characters, with the exception of Owly, who communicates only through pictures. Runton's evocative characters are nothing short of huggably adorable and affirm the importance of compassion and empathy against perceived stereotypes. Owly and Wormy both identify as male characters; hummingbird friends Tiny and Angel identify as male and female, respectively.

A simple but by no means simplistic tale emphasizing the universality of kindness. (Graphic fantasy. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews