Who

Anne Hutchings is a teacher-librarian in Ajax, Ontario.

Once upon a time, owls had names like Bartholomew and Eleanor. Who tells
of Bartholomew and Eleanor’s children, who were named Night Owl, Moon
Owl, and Tomorrow Owl. Much admired and looked up to by the other
animals, the three owlets became vain and proud, so much so that their
namesakes, Night, Moon, and Tomorrow, demanded that their names be
returned so that the owlets might remember that they were, in fact,
animals among animals. And that is why, to this day, if you go into the
forest and call an owl by name, the only answer you will receive is,
“Whoooo?”

Richard Thompson’s original myth is reminiscent of Native legends,
and could be used in the Native peoples unit in Grade 7 history. It
could also be used as part of a language arts unit on mythology to
stimulate students to write their own myths. The book is most
appropriate for Grades 4 up. Younger children to whom I read it found
the similarity in names (e.g., Night Owl, Night) confusing. Martin
Springett’s colored pencil illustrations are stunning and add to the
effectiveness of the book. Recommended.