I Know How to Draw an Owl

by Hilary Horder Hippely, illustrated by Matt James

Neal Porter Books (Holiday House) | 2024

When Belle draws the best owl, everyone in her class wants to know how she did it. She doesn’t share with the class, but the reader learns that Belle’s prowess at drawing owls comes from observing one out of her car’s windshield at night, the car where she and her mother are currently living. Belle’s mother plays a strong role in helping Belle see the positives in their temporary home: a good view of the trees and the possibility of seeing an owl. Belle keeps her secret close, until she meets a new classmate she suspects is in the same situation. Matt James’s bold acrylics give an air of drama to the story, capturing the unfamiliarity of being awake at night and presenting the details of Belle’s artwork authentically. Don’t miss the secret case cover image under the dust jacket!

Discussion questions:

You are in Belle’s class. What observation/compliment could you give her about the way she drew her owl? (Useful here to take off the dust jacket.)
Why might Belle choose not to share why she is so good at drawing owls?
What makes Belle think that the new boy may be living in circumstances similar to her own? What are some ways we can welcome students who are new to our school?

Vocabulary:

Hoot: Owl call (Here is a “sampler” of owl sounds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
Some students might not be familiar with the term “apartment buildings”

Video content:

Author (Instagram) explaining the backstory
Suggested for teacher viewing: while framed as a parent/child discussion, this video provides some content support for teachers in answering student questions that may arise during or after reading the book. Sesame street: Talk About It: For Children Experiencing Homelessness
A two-minute video made by Matt James about his process
21 second video of an “eagle owl” flying
How Does an Owl Fly So Silently?

Activities:

Draw your own owl! Lean on Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals, or use these photos for inspiration to draw owls.

Belle sees the owl outside of her car window. What’s outside of your classroom window? Draw an animal or plant that you see regularly outside of your window. Think about shape, texture, color, and size.

At the end of the book, Belle welcomes a new classmate. How could your class or school do the same? Create a list of ways to help welcome a new student; partners could illustrate each idea, culminating in a pamphlet or book for each newcomer.

Different homes: Draw all the different places that people might live, from your own home to tree houses.

Read aloud I Know How to Draw an Owl, Owl Moon, and To See an Owl. Make a Venn diagram to compare the experiences each child has in observing an owl. You might include timing, motivation, and family members.

Hilary Horder Hippely

Author
www.hilaryhorderhippely.com

Hilary grew up on an island in Washington State. She attended Cornell University and has advanced degrees in English Literature from the University of Washington and an AA in Early Childhood Education. She lives in Seattle with her husband, near their grown children and their families.

She has written several picture books, including Ballad of the Broom, Adventure on Klickitat Island, A Song for Lena, Rain or Shine, and The Crimson Ribbon. The idea for I Know How to Draw an Owl came from her observations of one of her preschool students.

Matt James

Illustrator
www.mattjamesillustration.ca

Matt James is a painter, author/illustrator, and musician whose books include Yellow Moon, Apple Moon by Pamela Porter (New Mexico Book Award); I Know Here by Laurel Croza (Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award); When the Moon Comes by Paul Harbridge (Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award); and I Know How to Draw an Owl by Hilary Horder Hippely. Matt’s illustrations for Northwest Passage, a tribute to the Stan Rogers song, won the Governor General’s Literary Award.

The books Matt has written include Tadpoles, Nice Try, Charlie!, and his author-illustrator debut, The Funeral, which was named a New York Times and New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book.