Picture Book Winner

I Know How to Draw an Owl
by Hilary Horder Hippely; illus. by Matt James
Primary    Holiday/Porter    32 pp.
10/24    9780823456666    $18.99

In this quietly affecting and beautifully illustrated book, young Belle's drawing of an owl draws praise from her teacher, but the child doesn't want to reveal why it's so good. Belle once had a home but now lives with her mother in their car. Every night in the wooded park where they sleep, Belle hears the hooting of an owl, but it stays out of sight. Then one night it appears; comforted, Belle thinks the owl is saying, "I like sharing my home with you." And just as the owl helped her, when a new boy arrives at school whose circumstances are similar to hers, Belle offers him friendship and reassurance. Atmospheric paintings, with their almost palpable thick brushstrokes and deep, cool colors, memorably depict the ethereal nighttime woods and the majestic owl. MARTHA V. PARRAVANO

From the Guide/Reviews Database.

Honor Books

Nose to Nose
by Thyra Heder; illus. by the author
Primary    Abrams    48 pp.
9/24     9781419757518    $18.99

Dog Toby has trouble making friends in his new neighborhood; this gets harder when he accidentally brings home another dog’s smelly ball from the park and attempts to rectify his mistake lead to his being labeled a “bad dog.” In Heder’s amusing soft-wash illustrations — a mix of spots, full pages, and spreads — dog communication techniques (i.e., peeing and barking) transform into color-coded conversations between the canines, expanding upon the straightforward text. Fortunately, the story resolves happily, demonstrating for young humans how important it is to face their troubles “nose to nose.” CYNTHIA K. RITTER

From the Guide/Reviews Database.

My Daddy Is a Cowboy
by Stephanie Seales; illus. by C. G. Esperanza
Primary    Abrams    48 pp.
6/24    9781419760815    $18.99
e-book ed.  9781647006280    $17.09

A Panamanian American girl and her daddy get up before dawn to ride horses through their town in this atmospheric picture book that celebrates a close bond between a father and daughter as well as contemporary Black cowboys. After Abuelita hands the girl a bag of apple slices for the horses, the duo takes off on Daddy’s motorcycle. They leave amidst “a new kind of quiet” while the stores are “dark and empty,” and upon arrival at the ranch, the girl’s joy as she greets her pony radiates off the page. She is excited to ride through the streets; usually, her rides are confined to the ranch. While riding, she feels “high as the clouds” and “strong as a horse’s back.” Esperanza’s vibrant, detailed oil-paint illustrations feature boldly colored backgrounds that infuse even the pre-sunrise scenes with energy. The sky goes from “midnight black” to “deep ocean blue” and “swirly sherbet colors” as the pair enjoys “just us” time together. The girl’s face is particularly expressive and full of light. Seales showcases the respect the two have for horses and their love for each other. The family’s Central American roots are highlighted in Abuelita’s Panamanian-flag coffee cup, in her traditional dress, and in the girl’s use of Spanish and ­English. Back home, the child triumphantly declares, “My Daddy is a cowboy…and so am I.” MARVA ANNE HINTON

From the January/February 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.

The 2025 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winners and honors were announced on June 23rd, 2025. For reviews of the other winning titles and more, click on the tag BGHB25.