The Owls of Wickenden Wood
by Shauna Kramer Barnes

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GENRE: Children's Picture Book

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BOOK BLURB:

Landing in a different reality, the hero of our story is challenged by wise and mysterious owls.

Will the storyteller be able to face their doubts and fears?

Or will they forever remain in the Wickenden Wood?

An inspiring, rhythmic tale, encouraging readers to believe in themselves and to trust in their own innate talents and abilities.

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EXCERPT TWO:

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book, "The Owls of Wickenden Wood," is a fun, interesting, and entertaining children's picture book filled with exciting adventures, rhyming sequences, and many, many owls!!

This book, "The Owls of Wickenden Wood," follows an unnamed main character who falls down a hole into a mysterious realm, Wickenden Wood. The main character is then greeted by several owls who demand that the character tells them a story - "that is fresh, that is new, and hopefully one that is funny too!" While the main character is hesitant, they are told they must comply in order to be free. Will the main character agree to the owls request? What story will they tell them? Will the owls allow the character to leave?

This book is ideal for out-loud story time and bedtime readings.

I enjoyed most of the rhyming sequences, however, I felt like some lines were awkwardly worded in order to complete the rhyme. In addition, I think some of the word choices were not suitable for younger learning to read material. For example, words such as: emitted, immense, reluctantly, enraptured, helm, and refrain are not only difficult for younger readers to pronounce, let alone recognize and understand.

Unfortunately, I feel like this book has no identity as none of the characters have names, ages, genders, or characteristics. While this can be seen as a universal identity, able to fit to any reader, I felt like it did the opposite as it seemed unrelatable, distant, and hard to connect to.

This book's blurb references having positive messages of "encouraging readers to believe in themselves and to trust in their own innate talents and abilities." While I do enjoy and appreciate that this book does encompass adventure, imagination, creativity, and curiosity, I found it a bit unsettling that the main character was demanded - more like forced to comply with the owls ultimatum. I'm not sure that was the best way to go about that - do what we say or you can never leave mentality. I love the idea of positively empowering young readers and encouraging them to bravely follow their imagination, fantasy, creativity, innovation, and beyond - and I think this book was trying to push toward that direction, but got a little lost in their rhymes over their message.

This book is filled with moderate abstract crayon illustrations. These illustrations are mostly comprised of dark crayon colors and are a bit more on the younger, drawing style side. However, I felt they were encouraging to young readers who would be inspired to get out their crayon sets and start drawing owls, trees, and leaves too!!

This book is 34 eBook pages cover-to-cover and filled with 16 pages of text and 11 pages of corresponding illustrations.

This book is appropriately “G” rated as there is no swearing, no gory violence, no adult situations, and no sexual content.

At this time, this book does not appear to be part of a book series.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it - especially to owl lovers!! I think all young readers and their families will like this book too!! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

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AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:

Shauna Kramer Barnes lives in Deep Cove, BC, with her husband and daughter. Surrounded by mountains, forests, and the owls who reside in the true Wickenden Wood, she was inspired to write this story and hopefully tell a tale that entertains.

Website:

https://shaunakramerbarnes.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/SHAUNAB303

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