I know how to draw an owl by Hilary Horder Hippely illustrated by Matt James

Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award

Winner of 2025 Boston Globe Horn Book Award

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Winner of the Frostburg State University CLC Book Award

Nominated for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award

I don't normally share books that I have not physically seen but this book has just won two very major awards so I wanted to mention it here. My friend and I hope this book will shortly become readily available in Australia. Sadly, picture books, even award winners like this, do not always make it into our bookstores or library - an example of this is a book I keep looking out for - Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin a Caldecott winner!

Here is the blurb for I know how to draw an owl: Belle and her mother used to have a house, a table, and chairs, a home like any of Belle’s classmates’. But things changed. Now, they curl up each night in a blanket nest in their old blue car, with their things packed in around them.  The first night was hard, but they’ve never been alone: their friend the owl has always been nearby, hooting in its tree, looking out for them. Belle longs to catch sight of it, and one night, she finally does. That’s how she learned to draw an owl. No one knows that story. But when a new boy comes to school, a boy whose car looks like Belle’s, a boy who looks lost and scared, it’s Belle’s turn to watch over someone. 

Watch this video about The Boston Globe Horn Book Award which started in 1967.

Here is the Horn Book review in full:

In this quietly affecting and beautifully illustrated book, young Belle's drawing of an owl draws praise from her teacher, but the child doesn't want to reveal why it's so good. Belle once had a home but now lives with her mother in their car. Every night in the wooded park where they sleep, Belle hears the hooting of an owl, but it stays out of sight. Then one night it appears; comforted, Belle thinks the owl is saying, "I like sharing my home with you." And just as the owl helped her, when a new boy arrives at school whose circumstances are similar to hers, Belle offers him friendship and reassurance. Atmospheric paintings, with their almost palpable thick brushstrokes and deep, cool colors, memorably depict the ethereal nighttime woods and the majestic owl.

Hippely’s lyrical, empathetic text complements James’ mesmerizing, at times haunting acrylic illustrations depicting vast landscapes dotted with houses and secluded natural scenes rendered with thick brush strokes in comforting dark blues and greens. Wordless double-page spreads throughout allow readers to assume Belle’s perspective and take in the child’s day-to-day feelings of uncertainty, fostering empathy along the way. Kirkus Star review

The challenges of being unhoused are gently revealed in this empathetic picture book, exquisitely enhanced by superb illustrations. Shelf Awareness

Today over lunch my friend and I search for more information about Hilary Horder Hippely (I do love her name).  Nearly all of her books are now out of print and I do not imagine any will be held in libraries here in Australia but here are two of her titles.

And here are some books illustrated by Canadian Matt James (you are more likely to find a few of his books here in Australia):

Past winners of the Boston Globe Horn Book Award:

The Mona Lisa Vanishes; Fungi Grow