This is a lovely classic that has an inspiring, positive, message. Two owls explain to a group of grumpy, quarreling, fighting chickens, ducks, and geese why they are always happy and have such a wonderful friendship. They impart the wisdom of their chosen choices ... choices that bring them untold delight and peace.

The owls love each season and find joy and contentment in all the beautiful things that transpire during their stay. Spring, summer, autumn and winter have unique qualities that both owls observe and appreciate. Engaging in each cycle brings them untold happiness as they witness nature's miracles all around them. Do the barnyard fowl receive the message that the owls impart to them or do they shrug off their wisdom, call it all nonsense and continue to live as before?

"The Happy Owls" was originally published in 1964 and is now being resurrected for younger generations to appreciate Piatti's phenomenal artwork and creative use of fonts. As Piatti once said himself, "You can draw an owl a thousand times, and never find out its secret." I highly recommend this book not only for parents to share but for classrooms and school libraries.

Boldly drawn and colored by the author, this book is short and sweet and very much to the point, if only you're open to the message! The owls always seem content, cooing softly in their tumble-down ruin of a building. Meanwhile in the nearby farmyard, the animals are always feeding their faces and then squabbling. The wise owls try to explain that they should enjoy the moment, live for the now, and enjoy each new season as it comes around once more, but the impatient farmyard critters don't seem to get it. The owls do though and that's all that matters to them! They can't force others to understand. The story was entertaining and surprisingly deep and warm, and I commend this as a worthy read.

This book is absolutely stunning. The barnyard fowl ask the owls why they are so calm, and the owls reply with observations about nature and the cycle of life. This book would be a perfect read-aloud book, since the detailed illustrations will capture the eye of adults and children alike, and the content provides a great teaching experience if you want to encourage mindfulness in your children or students. I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I am providing this review voluntarily.

This is a beautiful story about peace and serenity. I loved Celestine Piatti’s writhing. I also loved the art in this book. I was so beautifully done. Lovely book that I would recommend to anyone.

All views expressed in this review are purley my own and not affiliated with any brand.

Interesting and appealing picture book, with a succinct look at how owls are laid-back, content little things (little? - they loom over everything else here in a quite bizarre scale, in one image) while all the birds of the farm are vicious, self-centred and full of bitterness. The thing is, I witnessed a film today be described as a well-thought-of wooden toy given to a child who only wants a bashy-smashy computer game, and I fear the same might be true of this. A lot of black in the artwork amongst all the colours mean this has the appearance of being woodblock printed, but whatever its history and whatever the craft in the art it has a bit too much of the old-fashioned well-meaning intent to be a universal hit. But I was certainly glad it crossed my path, and I would wish to be proven wrong by it becoming a success once again.

What a lovely little story about finding happiness and peace. The art was beautiful and colorful and bold! I only wish there could have been a bit more of a lesson learned for the other animals so they could see how appreciating the world around you can bring you the happiness that the owls had.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Happy Owls.

This is a simple, beautiful, straightforward story about two happy owls who lives peacefully and contentedly with each other while their peers bicker, preen, and whine amongst each other.

What's the secret behind the owls' happiness?

It's a sweet message about enjoying the simple things in life and the illustrations are beautiful, almost like stained glass, with dark outlines and bold colors.

I wouldn't mind a few prints to hang on my walls.