Brave Enough for Two by Jonathan D. Voss - ESSENTIAL

Brave Enough for Two: A Hoot & Olive Story by Jonathan D. Voss. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt and Company, 2018. $18. 9781250127488

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Hoot, a stuffed owl, and Olive are best friends but enjoy two very different kinds of adventure. Olive loves to read about adventures, but Hoot loves to go out and experience them. One day Hoot talks Olive into a grand adventure that starts with a hot air balloon ride and end with a ride down the river in their balloon basket. After making it to shore, Hoot finds a tear in his cloth and Olive has to be brave enough for both of them. Olive gets them home, fixes up Hoot, and cuddles them up together with a book.

This book is charming from start to end.  The illustrations grab you immediately - they are deep and rich and realistic and paired with pencil sketches under the narrative. The characters are both brave and scared, which creates layers of lessons for kids to pick up on.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher