School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-In this follow-up to "I'm Not Cute!" (Hyperion, 2006), Baby Owl takes his toy, Owly, for a nighttime stroll through the woods. Badger pops up unexpectedly, tells him not be frightened, and asks him why he's out past his bedtime. Indignant, Baby Owl replies, "I'm NOT scared!" and points out that "owls stay up all night!" After enduring similar encounters with Bear and Bat, the frustrated youngster meets his father and tells him that it's really Owly who is afraid. Papa calms him down, takes him home, and tucks him into bed, whispering, "It's okay to be a little bit scared of the dark," a message that a reassured Baby Owl passes on to Owly. The cartoon illustrations are painted in dusky hues with black outlines, and the glossy quality of the light-infused colors makes the art look like animation cels. The focus is on the animal characters, with just enough background detail to suggest the setting. Baby Owl has lots of personality, and despite his bravado, his large, circle-shaped eyes betray his true state of mind. The expressive visuals, brief text, and protagonist's believably childlike behavior are just right for young audiences.-Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
While taking his stuffed toy, Owly, for a walk, Baby Owl becomes increasingly irritated by everyone's assertion that he shouldn't be out late at night (""I SHOULD be out...at night. It's what owls DO!""). Unfussy oversize drawings illustrate Baby Owl's struggle between fear and bravery, and Papa Owl's diplomatic way of reassuring him that ""It's okay to be a little bit scared. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Baby Owl--accompanied only by his trusty toy owl, Owly--is out at night, sans parents, for the first time, and if he feels a bit frightened, he certainly isn't going to admit it. As Baby Owl meets an array of woodland animals--Badger, Bear, Bat and finally Papa Owl--each tells him not to be scared. "I'm NOT scared!" Baby Owl replies with a wide-eyed look. "It's Owly who's scared," he finally tells Papa. Papa is happy to soothe Owly and Baby Owl as well. As the sun comes up, he reads Baby Owl a book, tucks in the two intrepid adventurers and reminds Baby Owl that it's okay to be afraid of the dark. "Papa means you, Owly," Baby Owl says, keeping up a brave front and drifting off to sleep. Young children will find comfort and a chuckle in this simple, quiet story, and the charming pictures perfectly depict Baby Owl's sense of independence and bravado. A nice choice for youngsters just starting to explore the outside world. (Picture book. 2-4) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In I'm Not Cute! (2006), Baby Owl told all the big, nurturing animals that he was huge and scary, until his loving mama took him home to bed. Now he steals out for a stroll in the moonlit woods, and he insists to Badger, Bear, and Bat that he is not scared of them or of the dark. It is not past his bedtime. Owls stay up all night. He can see perfectly well in the dark. Big, bright, clear cartoons show the real story: despite his protests, the small, huge-eyed owl is scared stiff as the animals loom large from the shadowy trees, even though he is rebellious when they nurture him. It all climaxes in his screaming temper tantrum, until Papa takes Baby Owl home and tucks him, along with his toy, Owly, into his warm, cozy bed. Toddlers will see themselves in the Owl's fear and denial, and they'll embrace the story's reassurance: It's OK to be a little scared of the dark. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2007 Booklist