Young Tawny: The Owl in Borrowed Feathers by Kevin McEvoy Herlihy, Catherine Redgate (Illustrator)

Raised by penguins, Young Tawny really isn't any good at penguin things. But when the penguins are in danger, Young Tawny does something extraordinary; she flies! Finding her new home in Woody Forest and fitting in with the owlets isn't going to be easy when she can only krok like a penguin. And besides, this is going to stop her singing in the musical at The Big Tree. But when fire engulfs the forest, Young Tawny must find her voice to save both her owl and penguin families, and at last, find her hoot.

Publication Date: 13th August 2025

My Review:

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The story is a middle grade book of Young Tawny, an owlet, who as an egg fell off a ship and Young Tawny was brought up by penguins. Young Tawny grew up believing that she was a penguin.

The story can be divided into three parts and the first part is where Young Tawny discovers that she is not like the other penguins. And here it must be mentioned that her pengtwin Isabel's love for Young Tawny shines out.

Then comes the second part where Young Tawny discovers what it is to be an owl and here the book is cramped with different experiences of a young owl who has not yet discovered her hoot. These experiences include working at the Nest Store and joining HOOT and trying to learn to sing and dance and finally discovering different kinds of owls like Anajouen.

The last part of the book is a very sinister event that could finally lead Young Tawny to discover her hoot.

The story is unique in the sense, it brings in the idea of a different kind of an owl that does not have the experiences of a normal owl and then the story moves on as the young owl tries to find her place in her society and also discover her talents.

Unique world building from the point of view of Young Tawny as the  Woody Forest and the icy place of the penguins are both brought out and explained and are in contrast to each other.

The illustrations are hand drawn pencil illustrations, just to give a hint to children about how Young Tawny’s world looks like.

Overall, an interesting middle grade, read explaining to children about the differences in oneself and accepting it for what it is.

Thank you for the ARC Netgalley.