This might well be one of the stand-out books of the year; a graphic novel where every page has a wonderful feel due to the superlative artwork, and where the story offers just what the title implies - and so, so much more. The artwork is really dazzling - a kinetic mix of imagery and images, where multiple scenes are blended into splash page after splash page. Yes, there are googly-eyed girl tropes, but so much detail and wonder, this cries out for an instant re-read. The script is on the short side, so this is a more of an illustrated story than a graphic novel, but all round it's marvellous.

First off, it isn't listed here yet on Goodreads, but the artist for this is Sara Richard and her work is a huge part of the story. It's whimsical, flowing, detailed and scary at times.

This is coming out rated for ages 9-12 and while I agree, that fits for the plot, the artwork, as I mentioned, would make it too scary for the more timid tweens in my opinion. I've known some that would have no issue with it and others that would, so I thought it was worth a mention.

The story itself is part bittersweet and part wonderful. The idea of an Owl being a Good Samaritan to everyone, including humans and ghosts is touching. Being an Owl fan, it fits my idea of them, yet that's neither here nor there and more of a personal observation/opinion.

It's short, sweet, has a few golden nuggets of morals in that the Owl is there to help, even when his own animal friends eventually tell him not to. He does what he thinks is right to repay a debt that he feels he owes, a sort of pay it forward, that we can all learn from.

I enjoyed it, even if I would bump up the age group some. It's less a graphic novel than a short comic or even picture book, yet some of the things it deals with are tough and totally normal in our adult lives. Sigh, adulting is hard.