HOOT AND HOLLER

This tale from a British team about two owls who lose and find each other again is hampered by a weighty message about the important of sharing one's feelings. Although they enjoy playing together, little Hoot and big Holler are "too shy to say that they loved each other." When a storm separates the pair, Wise Owl advises Holler to be brave, and eventually finds enough courage to call out, "I love you-hoo." Finally reunited, the friends are "never too shy to say, 'I'm happy,' 'I'm sad,' 'I'm scared,' or... 'I love you-hoo...' ever again." Unfortunately, the owls and other animals seem frozen in visual space as if they were hanging from a mobile. With few exceptions, the wide-eyed owls scarcely change expression, and often the illustrations do not reflect the text. For instance, "the moonlit fields where rabbits danced with their shadows" appears on a moonless white page featuring Holler next to a trio of motionless bunnies. Although Brown includes a few playful descriptions of the owls' activities (they play "crouch-and-creep in the dripping cave"), too much of the story relies on bland narration rather than dialogue or action to advance the plot. Ages 3-5. (Sept.)