An Owl and Three Pussycats

Rating:
Summary: Great low key story about wild and not quite tame animals
Review: This wonderful story is part of a series of books the authors have written on Maple Hill farm. The books are written in a simple, low key style about how real animals seen on and around a farm act. The illustrations are also simple but colorful drawings of the characters. This book's plot appears superficial but proves deeper in subtle way that enhances its appeal for adults: a storm fells an old oak, leaving an abandoned owlet which is adopted by the farm family and then trained and released because "you can't own an owl." A parallel story tells of three farm cats who each have their own "personalities". The authors contrast them but the avoid personification of the animals and end the book by questioning whether you can really own a cat either.