The expressiveness of Rabbit and Owl are priceless. I love how they take up entire pages, and how the text/story is placed over the pictures. They’re beautiful and interesting, and some are very amusing.
I’m not sure I’d have found it otherwise, at least not in the near future. Thank you to Goodreads friend Terri Lynn for alerting me to it. “…a story of friendship that youngsters can understand and relate to.I loved this book. Smart design details include a tall trim size, the choice of an elegantly readable typeface and end pages that pictorially encapsulate the story arc. The well-turned, dialogue-rich narrative complements the sunny visuals, making this an excellent choice for one-on-one or group read-alouds. During their estrangement, Owl and Rabbit appear on opposite ends of double-page spreads or glare across the sky-high gap between their absurd towers.
The marvelously dizzying perspective and visual depiction of emotions mesh, in pictures that preschoolers can “read” with absorption. Their shared plight engenders renewed cooperation and friendship: “Alone they had nothing / but together they had all they needed… / to build one small house.” Marino’s full-bleed pencil-and-gouache illustrations beautifully capture the pair’s harmonious play, mounting rift and oh-so-satisfying reconciliation. So it goes, until “soon they had / the tallest houses in the world.” When a windstorm assists in toppling their teetering, untenable abodes, the animals land in a pile of dirt, strewn vegetables and broken twigs. Then, Owl’s remodel diminishes light for Rabbit’s garden. Hilltop neighbors Rabbit and Owl nearly destroy their friendship when envy and one-upmanship take hold in this appealing story that reads much like a folk tale.įirst, gardener Rabbit’s autumnal veggies block Owl’s forest view. “A story with universal appeal and a very particular sense of place” Through the friendly banter of a clever rabbit and an ambitious owl, Marino skillfully depicts the downside of focusing on ‘ME’ and the benefits that come with focusing on ‘WE.’ While children will laugh out loud, parents can use this warm, light-hearted story to help diffuse the tug-of-war among siblings!”Īnderson McKean, Page & Palette, Fairhope, AL “This is a beautifully illustrated, whimsically told tale that will resonate with children of all ages. “… Another winner for rising star Marino”
Marino interjects a few humorous details throughout the story–the expressions of grumpy Owl getting watered by Rabbit or flying with a squashed tomato on his head are priceless.” The animals are full of heartfelt emotions, from anger and frustration to happy contentment. “…The illustrations feature impeccably detailed pencil drawings combined with sumptuously colored gouache backgrounds.
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