by Mary Serfozo, Jeffrey Scherer (Illustrator)
Hardcover
Publisher: Random House Children's Books Pub. Date: July 2007 ISBN-13: 9780375840500 Age Range: 5 to 6 40pp Synopsis
Quiet crept into the dark forest deep. Wrapped in the hush, everyone seemed asleep. Until . . . "Whooo's there?" said Old Owl.
It's nighttime, but the forest is alive with sights, sounds, and even smells! Whooo's out there? That's what Old Owl wants to know! Mary Serfozo's delightful rhyming text and Jeffrey Scherer's graphic illustrations bring to life an inquisitive owl who loves to keep tabs on all of the animals that prowl the dark forest at night.
Kirkus Reviews
Standing guard over the forest, stern Old Owl serenades a progression of animals-among them, a hungry raccoon, a hopping frog and a smelly skunk-with the song, "Whooo's there?" Rendered in rich nocturnal hues with thick flowing lines and geometric forms, the animated, double-page spreads complement quatrains that are replete with alliteration and animal sound effects. Variety in both the pleasing rhymes and artwork-including intermittent visits from the moon and a cat-rat chase-will keep the pages turning. While the small format may disqualify it from group storytimes, this tranquil and engaging bedtime sojourn is just right for one-on-one sharing. (Picture book. 3-5)
