To See an Owl, Matthew Cordell
To See an Owl, Matthew Cordell
List: $5.00 | Sale: $3.50
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To See an Owl

Author: Matthew Cordell

Narrator: Felisha Wong

Unabridged: 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/24/2025


Synopsis

An endearing story about a girl’s efforts to spot an owl from the Caldecott Medal winning creator of Wolf in the Snow. This audiobook that encourages patience and perseverance will resonate with listeners of all ages who have longed to see one of these elusive creatures in the natural world.

When will I find you?
Where could you be?
What will it take?
To see an owl.

Silent and wide-eyed, owls are hidden creatures of the night. Janie has always dreamed of finding one. She searches everywhere for signs of an owl – on the open prairie for short-eared owls, on the beach for snowy owls, and for great horned owls in the woods near her home. But months go by, and she sees no owls. She wonders, what will it take to see an owl?

Her teacher, Mr. Koji, a fellow bird-lover, shares that he, too, waited a long time to see an owl. He assures her, “If you are very quiet and very patient, and if you look very close, you might just find them.”

When the snow begins to fall, Janie and her mother head into the woods again, and as she looks carefully, hidden high up in the trees, what she sees is pure magic.

From Matthew Cordell, the creator of Wolf in the Snow that was awarded the Caldecott Medal, comes this inspiring story about quiet perseverance that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the anticipation of discovering a rare treasure in the wild.

About The Author

Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of many celebrated picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal winner Wolf in the Snow, Evergreen, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Hello Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mr. Rogers, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, and the Cornbread and Poppy series, which Booklist in a starred review has called “a rewarding choice for young readers.” Matthew lives outside of Chicago with his wife, author Julie Halpern, and their two children.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jasmine on April 26, 2025

Read for my toddler's bedtime. This story followed a little girl who loved owls. She draws pages upon pages of owls. She thought of owls and dreamed of owls. Her teacher, Mr. Koji also loved owls. He has pictures, drawings, and maps of his sightings. This little girl is a birder too. She went on adv......more

Goodreads review by Rachel on February 01, 2025

Full disclosure: I adore Matthew Cordell’s art and stories. Cordell’s trademark ink and watercolor artwork is brilliant, employing fine details that contribute to this story’s tone of quiet patience and wonder. A child is an avid birder and her sole desire is to see an owl. Her teacher is also a bird......more

Goodreads review by Kelly on January 20, 2025

Another incredible book by Matthew Cordell. I think I can officially say he is my favorite children's author and illustrator. I have followed his journey as a birder on IG, and it was wonderful to see his passion and enthusiasm for nature and birds flow through the pages of this book. His illustrati......more

Goodreads review by Margaux on February 07, 2025

Just a slice of life of a girl who really, really loves Owls. She goes birding with her mom. And diligently searches for her favorite animal.......more

Goodreads review by Maggie on January 17, 2025

Totally biased review since I love Matt and owls, but I would love this book even if I wasn't primed to do so! Beautifully illustrated and written ❤️🦉......more


Quotes

A CCBC Choices List Selection!

★ "A title easily summed up in a single word: magic." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Taut, suspense-heightening sentences combine with deliberate pacing as well as tender observations of earnest efforts and mentorship." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "The stunning story is a splendid celebration of the wonder of nature....A particularly pleasurable exploration of the magic that the world reveals to those who approach it with patience." —Booklist, starred review

★ "Children often dive wholeheartedly into their interests....When something sparks their curiosity, they explore it with pure enthusiasm, driven by a sense of wonder and joy. This is precisely what Matthew Cordell captures so skillfully in To See an Owl, using plain language and short, impactful phrasing." —BookPage, starred review

"Gentle and earnest....The laser-focus on one single thing will ring true for many kids and adults alike, so current (or former) dino fans, truck enthusiasts, and cat whisperers will find a kindred spirit with our aspiring ornithologist." —The Bulletin

"Both compelling and informational, the story of Janie’s quest, like the experience of finally sighting a pair of owls, is 'magic.'" —The Horn Book

"A perfectly lovely picture book for the owl obsessed." —School Library Journal