Review Detail

MERRY AND HARK is an intriguing picture book about adventure, nature, and the holidays. Merry the owl lives in the woods where she dreams of going on a great adventure, just like the stories the older owl tells them about other owls who have done great things. She loves the forest where she lives and particularly her special tree, Hark, which whispers to her. That is, until one day, when people arrive to cut down Hark and take it to the city with Merry still tucked inside. Merry is surprised by the city and the way the buildings and trees are, but also has trouble finding food. Luckily, a person comes and rescues her from the Christmas tree being decorated now, helping to give her food and drink as well as return her to the forest. Merry has now gone on a grand adventure and becomes one of the owls in the stories being told.

This is quite the story with danger, unexpected turns, and a happy ending. Merry is a delightful character that will resonate with young readers who wish to see themselves in the amazing stories they hear and want to do big things. Her journey was not planned but presents itself as quite the adventure - scary at times but with plenty of bravery and some help, Merry makes it through.

While the setting is around Christmas as Hark was cut down and taken to the city to be their Christmas tree, the book did not otherwise feel like a holiday read. There is a big lesson in terms of the ways that people use nature and the care they should take in doing so. For instance, it does feel quite sad when Hark is cut down and can no longer speak to Merry, and the people did not check to see whether the wildlife had left the tree before removing it from the woods, inadvertently taking Merry along. She then has trouble finding food in the city, where everything is different. She cannot see the stars to guide her nor find the food she usually would. The story presents the city as so different from the forest, but Merry also shows empathy, understanding that the people in the city want a bit of nature to enjoy even while it takes Hark from her.

As the adventure was not chosen for herself, it did have some sadder tones to the story. While Merry got to have an adventure, it did not feel as empowering as it otherwise could have, such as the stories of the hero owls mentioned at the beginning. That being said, there are some great lessons for young readers in terms of taking care of and respecting nature and those who reside in it, teaching empathy for the woods and the living things there. In the context of the holidays, this becomes apparent with the ways that trees are used to celebrate Christmas, which may appeal to some audiences more than others.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and really capture the story and Merry well. They are detailed and full page, pulling the reader into the story and Merry's world. While billed as a Christmas story, this is a story that could be enjoyed year-round with tones of danger, learning, adventure, conservation, and empathy. Because of these themes and the length, this would work best for elementary school aged readers.

Overall, MERRY AND HARK is an imaginative and lovely picture book that presents thought-provoking themes to young readers. Would recommend around the holidays or any time of the year.