Every once in a while a book, or series of books, comes along and warms your heart so thoroughly, practically setting fire to the darn thing, that you want everyone to go out and buy it.Andy Runton creates such works.
I am an unabashed comic book reader and have been for most of my life. While I enjoy a good bit of superhero daring-do, my tastes tend toward indie sensibilities. That’s how I came to be enamored of Andy Runton’s super-cute all-ages comic, Owly.
I picked up a copy of his first Owly graphic novel while perusing his publisher’s booth at a comic book convention a few years back and instantly fell in love with Owly, his friend Wormy and their woodland neighbors.
A V.O.Y.A. review puts it perfectly, “These deceptively simple stories portray a profound truth about the meaning of true friendship, loyalty, and faith. Younger elementary students can just enjoy the story, whereas older students and adults will see beyond the pictures to the underlying philosophy. This treasure of a book celebrates innocence and friendship and makes the reader feel wonderful in the end.”
Aint It Cool.com states, “Owly is the comic book equivalent of a hug.”
So, so true.
Runton asserts in his website that “Owly is a kind-hearted little owl who knows what it means to be human.” Although the stories are silent Runton relies on a mixture of symbols and expressions to tell Owly’s adventures, the result being that the youngest of children will be able to “read“ the stories. Owly is animated, charming and very sweet.
Although Owly is a series, each book is self-contained and while there is emotion and action, violence and anger are absent, making them suitable for the youngest readers.
One of the things I find fascinating about Owly is a well-executed series of 30 lesson plans available to use in conjunction with the stories. And while many teachers (myself included) have used comics in the classroom, this is the first set of fully realized lesson plans using a specific comic book series. Amazing.
Owly’s latest graphic novel, the fifth, Tiny Tales kicks off with a new Owly adventure and also collects out-of-print Owly stories from the original mini-comics and from Free Comic Book Day comics. Aside from the wonderful Owly stories, bonus material includes an early sketchbook, detailing Owly’s origins, and a “how to draw Owly” section.
As with all of the Owly books, Tiny Tales does not disappoint. The art is consistently great, drawing the reader deep into the story, despite (or maybe that’s in spite of) the lack of words.
Any time a new Owly comic comes out both of my children clamor for it. We. must. buy it. They pour over each and every panel of each story taking great delight in Owly and Wormy’s escapades. That is, if they can get to it before I do.
You can purchase Tiny Tales here:
or, better yet, visit your local comic book shop. Your kids, or maybe more importantly your heart, will thank you later.
This was written by Missy who can be read at Misc. & Co.
