Graphic Novel Review: OWLY, FLYING LESSONS by Andy Runton

OWLY: FLYING LESSONS by Andy Runton (Graphix/Scholastic, April 2021) Paperback, 144 pages. ISBN #1338300695 / 9781338300697 

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

Facing fears can be scary...

Owly and Wormy love making new friends, and when they spot an unfamiliar animal flying through the trees, they can't wait to meet her! Unfortunately, Shadow the flying squirrel doesn't want to be friends with Owly because she's afraid of him. Wormy tries to convince Shadow that she can trust Owly, but she's still scared... When Wormy gets stuck high up in a tree, Owly's own fear of flying keeps him grounded. Can Owly overcome his fears? And will Shadow be able to do the same?

Through a unique blend of words and symbols, Owly can be read by the youngest readers, and is a great introduction to graphic novels!   

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     I gifted my grandson some of the original black & white illustrated, text-free OWLY books from Top Shelf Comix when he was nearly three years old. The warm, whimsical stories were great for helping him develop his processing and imaginative skills. He would look at the images and tell the story to me as he figured out what was happening. They remain among his favorite books in a growing collection (avid reader). 

     He's now approaching six-years old, reading at a third grade level, and these revised editions of Owly by Graphic/Scholastic add color and text to those stories. They are much easier for young readers to grasp, and that's a good thing as the stories always convey important lessons about caring, sharing, and cooperating. An even bigger benefit is that my grandson can now read these stories to his two-year old brother and sister (twins). I'll be gifting him this volume when I visit in May. 

     In Flying Lessons, Owly and Wormy try to make friends with a flying squirrel, who naturally is afraid of owls. As Shadow (the squirrel) eventually warms up to Owly, he returns the favor by helping Owly overcome his fear of flying. Full of simple charm and wisdom, the art is equally sweet and appealing to younger readers.