Owl Production

In order to keep my owl production line going, I've been fueling my brain with Neil Gaiman.  A lot of Neil Gaiman.  First of all, I'm reading his newest--and Newbery award winner--The Graveyard Book, to Nut Boy at bedtime. If you're familiar with Neil Gaiman (he's the author behind Coraline, just made into a movie), you won't be surprised when I tell you The Graveyard Book is a retelling of Kipling's The Jungle Book, only in this version the orphan boy is raised by a family of ghosts and a tall, somber man who sleeps in a crypt and only comes out at night (I'll let you figure that one out for yourself). I also just finished Stardust (also made into a wonderful fantasy movie, but that one has a few adult situations that might not be so great for kids). And to finish my binge, I just picked up Neverwhere.

Contrasting all that fantasy, I also read a new young adult novel, The Chosen One. It tells the story of a 13 year old girl, Kira, who lives in a polygamist cult with her father, 3 mothers, and 20 siblings. As the mother of a daughter Kira's age, it was hard for me to read about her life, her forced engagement to her 60 year old uncle, the violence and intimidation that keeps everyone under the thumb of the "prophet" who runs the compound. But it was such a compelling story I couldn't put it down (one review describes it as "ripped from the headlines") and I hope Squirrel Girl will read it.

But back to the owls...

I felt like I wanted something snazzy for their photo shoot, so I cut out a gnarled tree for them to perch upon. I usually don't do much set dressing for my photos, mostly because I feel like the pieces are busy enough by themselves, but the owlies deserved a tree.

I am LOVING making these little guys.  And I'm already thinking of some different critters...but shhhh, those are a secret.

Comments

[Melissa Nyc]

So jealous! My good friend who has known me since highschool said Neil Gaiman is right up my ally. I think he's thinking of thehighschool me- dark, moody, mysterious even....but I could REALLY go for some good books like that right now. We just made a(nother) offer on a house at our poorest moment ofthe year. ug.

[Sue]

I think you need some bats in your flock.

[Kelaine]

Yes I second the bats suggestion!! And Gaiman has an awesome, amazing graphic novel series for older teens and adults called Sandman that is a psychological dream (pun intended)