"Cats do not in general like boats, or water,
But Butter just sat there on the dock, looking at
the boat. He sat up very straight, like a cat
who had no doubts.
Owl watched him with her shiny eyes for a
while. Then she craned her neck and tilted
her head almost upside down so she could
read the name printed on the boat's side.
"Brrr ... right ... Eye ... dea. Bright idea!"
the raven shouted out. "Butter? Whose
Bright Idea is this?
"It's ours," said the cat, and leaped aboard."
It's been a while since I read a new book by Erin Bow; I am pleased that this one arrived in the mail recently to remind me just how much I enjoy her writing. She does not disappoint with this story of a young witch and her familiars: Butter, a calico cat with an air of pomposity and Owl, an impulsive raven who gave herself the moniker for its sound. Though they don't get along very well, when their young witch disappears without a note or warning, the two set themselves a quest to find her.
A small boat named Bright Idea seems the perfect transport for the two as they spend an extended time on their search. Using a neighbor goat's 'canny bell', meant to keep them on the right path to success, they set off on a series of misadventures that will have middle grade readers fascinated. As they face a number of obstacles, the two become better friends, always with the same goal in mind: to find their witch and bring her home. Often terrified, they cling to an otter-god's claim that heroes are not necessarily big, strong, and fearless. Rather, "What makes them heroes is that they go on." Go on they do, eventually completing their quest and learning why their witch left without warning.
Erin Bow's exceptional storytelling gives readers worthy characters who exhibit both human and animal traits. I have added a number of quotes to my growing collection of favorites. The way she plots her story will keep readers involved and moving constantly forward. Kelly Murphy's illustrations are a brilliant addition to the fun found here.
Inspired by Homer's The Odyssey, which is very much in movie news today, this first book in a new series about Butter and Owl is sure to become a classic. It's going on my 'keepers' shelf to be read with Chelsea when she returns next summer. It will be our first book club book.
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