School Library Journal

A near-sighted hawk attempts to catch a rabbit and fails repeatedly, ending up each time with its talons full of vegetables. This, in turn, causes Hawk to question his identity. “Was he a carrot hawk, or was he a hawk hawk?” His ritual of speeding downward, opening his talons, and screaming is repeated several times throughout the story, each time revealing a more deflated predator. The digital cartoon art features close-ups on the characters’ expressions; each illustration is devoid of background. The result is an intense focus on the choreography of the two characters as well as on the spoils of Hawk’s repeated failed attempts. The structure of this character-driven story makes it easy for an audience to join in the storytelling and provides many opportunities for kids to audibly express their sympathy for Hawk. VERDICT Perfect for reading aloud, this is a great addition to picture book collections.—Matthew C. Winner, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD