Olivia Loves Owl

Fourth in a series of books that includes Ben Loves Bear and Peter Loves Penguin, this placid story follows a brown-skinned girl and her doting toy owl through a day. McPhail’s soft paintings evoke an early-autumn setting, and while “Owl has feathers” to stay warm, “Olivia has a sweater.” Outside they jump around in piles of leaves (“Olivia flies through the air. Owl flies higher”) and pick apples before heading back inside, preparing for bed. It’s another tender study of a busy, parent-free day and a doting friendship. Owl’s nocturnal nature lets him serve as a kind of overnight watchman as Olivia sleeps, a comforting detail to end on. Up to age 3. [em]Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Aug.) [/em]