Status
Available
Local notes
598.9 Sew
Collection
Publication
Ten Speed Press (2015), Edition: Illustrated, 128 pages
Description
An enchanting illustrated guide to owl species of the world. The owl is one of nature's most captivating creatures. In this enchanting guide, artist Matt Sewell brings to life fifty species from around the world. From the adorable Eurasian Pygmy Owl, small enough to fit in your pocket, to the Great Gray Owl, celebrated for its size and elegance--these charming illustrations are sure to delight anyone intrigued by these wise and wonderful animals.
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
128 p.; 7.54 inches
Media reviews
User reviews
LibraryThing member DavidWineberg
Speaking Owlish
Unlike most nature books of animals. birds or insects, Matt Sewell’s Owls is not so much an encyclopedia as a loving catalog. Instead of sharp detailed photos, there is a full page watercolor painting of each owl. Instead of a map and dry description of the range, hints and habits
The paintings are reproduced several to a page at the end, with checkboxes for when you sight them. This also gives you chance to see how very different they all are, in size and style, shape and color, around the world. From a few inches to a couple of feet, from snow white to bloody red, from horned to roundheaded, from “glasses” to “X’d”, owls have an outsized range of bodies, as well as of habits and reputation.
This is not a book of science; it is a book of passion.
David Wineberg
Unlike most nature books of animals. birds or insects, Matt Sewell’s Owls is not so much an encyclopedia as a loving catalog. Instead of sharp detailed photos, there is a full page watercolor painting of each owl. Instead of a map and dry description of the range, hints and habits
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of each bird, there is a brief appreciation of the character in the painting. This is different. This is obvious joy.The paintings are reproduced several to a page at the end, with checkboxes for when you sight them. This also gives you chance to see how very different they all are, in size and style, shape and color, around the world. From a few inches to a couple of feet, from snow white to bloody red, from horned to roundheaded, from “glasses” to “X’d”, owls have an outsized range of bodies, as well as of habits and reputation.
This is not a book of science; it is a book of passion.
David Wineberg
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LibraryThing member preetalina
As I started reading this book, the first thing I wondered was who it's intended for. Kids? Adults? Birders? Owl people? Halfway through, I determined it's a fairly large audience, but definitely not for kids. I think it's probably best as an intro to owls, or as a fun, non-scientific book for owl
The best part was, of course, the illustrations. These are all watercolor paintings of different owls and they're quite lovely. The drawings are paired with short, mostly whimsical descriptions. I actually found the descriptions a little inconsistent. Some were full of facts (though still written in a fun way), while others were just kind of silly.
One of my favorite descriptions was the Dusky Eagle-Owl - this is an owl from India and Sewell described it in very Indian terms, which really made me laugh.
Here, escaping the hullabaloo, he and his good wife reside all year round and take tiffin at dusk, consisting of the local avifauna. Sounds pukka.
Overall, this was a fun book. I read it in ebook format so I really wonder what the actual book looks like. Often, art books are much better in tangible form than in ebook.
Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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lovers.The best part was, of course, the illustrations. These are all watercolor paintings of different owls and they're quite lovely. The drawings are paired with short, mostly whimsical descriptions. I actually found the descriptions a little inconsistent. Some were full of facts (though still written in a fun way), while others were just kind of silly.
One of my favorite descriptions was the Dusky Eagle-Owl - this is an owl from India and Sewell described it in very Indian terms, which really made me laugh.
Here, escaping the hullabaloo, he and his good wife reside all year round and take tiffin at dusk, consisting of the local avifauna. Sounds pukka.
Overall, this was a fun book. I read it in ebook format so I really wonder what the actual book looks like. Often, art books are much better in tangible form than in ebook.
Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
I've always loved the sounds of owls in the night. When we moved into our home on the island, the first week I saw a barn owl coast across our yard at dusk, ghostly white against the darkening sky. I'd hear the "who cooks for you" of a barred own call and know they were nearby. I've seen great
My fascination has taken expression in my art, as I love to draw owls, too. And I love to see how others draw them, which is why this book was so much fun for me. Matt Sewell's Owls: Our Most Charming Bird is a fun addition to my birder books, and while it may not be a Sibly's or a National Geographic, it has a charm of its own and is a book I will love to return to and visit the whimsical owls that grace the pages.
This is probably a better book for a beginner birder, or an owl lover than for someone who is seriously into birding, but the illustrations are truly charming. Thank you to Blogging for books for sending me this copy.
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horned owls perched up in the live oaks in the back yard, near the lake; once, even a group of three watched me sleepily from a branch as I pushed my kayak out onto the water. The last few years we were there, screech owls took up roost out our bedroom window. They were so fascinating, and so absolutely darling, I almost didn't want to move. But we did. Within a week, I'd heard the cry of a barred owl in the trees near our new place, and knew I was truly home.My fascination has taken expression in my art, as I love to draw owls, too. And I love to see how others draw them, which is why this book was so much fun for me. Matt Sewell's Owls: Our Most Charming Bird is a fun addition to my birder books, and while it may not be a Sibly's or a National Geographic, it has a charm of its own and is a book I will love to return to and visit the whimsical owls that grace the pages.
This is probably a better book for a beginner birder, or an owl lover than for someone who is seriously into birding, but the illustrations are truly charming. Thank you to Blogging for books for sending me this copy.
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LibraryThing member MillieHennessy
This book is friggen adorable! I grabbed it because I love owls and the art style caught my eye. I really didn't look at it in the store, other than to confirm each owl had it's own lovely illustration.
Reading the descriptions of the owls, I found there's quite a bit of humor! Sewell talks a bit
For example:
This description of the Short-Eared Owl - "Caught in the sunny daytime after she has been up all night, with a face like thunder, mid-walk of shame, flying over open ground looking for her pruse, mascara smeared, with a beast of a hangover. Don't get in her way, don't talk to her, just let her do what she's doing so she can get back to bed. She needs her shut-eye."
(That last sentence is essentially me.)
And he describes the Greater Sooty Owl as a "goth Barn Owl."
"African Wood Owl - He's from Africa, and he lives in the woods."
If you like owls, little nature fact books and watercolor illustrations, I think you should check out Owls: Our Most Charming Bird!
Reading the descriptions of the owls, I found there's quite a bit of humor! Sewell talks a bit
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about where each species can be found, or any special traits, but he does so with a good dose of comedy.For example:
This description of the Short-Eared Owl - "Caught in the sunny daytime after she has been up all night, with a face like thunder, mid-walk of shame, flying over open ground looking for her pruse, mascara smeared, with a beast of a hangover. Don't get in her way, don't talk to her, just let her do what she's doing so she can get back to bed. She needs her shut-eye."
(That last sentence is essentially me.)
And he describes the Greater Sooty Owl as a "goth Barn Owl."
"African Wood Owl - He's from Africa, and he lives in the woods."
If you like owls, little nature fact books and watercolor illustrations, I think you should check out Owls: Our Most Charming Bird!
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LibraryThing member iffland
If you love owls you love this book!
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Pages
128