After a young girl helps her Grandpa mount a nesting box high in an old oak tree, the duo must return many evenings before they finally spot an owl resident. When the owl lands in a nearby tree, the girl can “see the tiny ruff of feathers around its face, like stiff lace.” While observing the owls nesting, hunting, and feeding their chicks, Grandpa shares his knowledge of owl behavior with his granddaughter. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations show the human and bird activity, while the lyrical text captures the wonder of the child’s birding experience. Each double-page spread also features a sentence or two of smaller-sized text offering additional information about barn owls. A final note describes nest boxes. (Ages 5–9)

The little girl in this book has never seen a barn owl, but when her grandpa puts a nest-box high in the old oak tree, they wait and they wait until one spring night, just as the sky goes pink, a pale face looks out of it, then takes off towards them.