Flying Lessons

Owly #3

by Andy Runton

Owly is a kind-hearted little owl who knows what it means to be human.

The third graphic novel in the breakout, all-ages series is a charming story of understanding and acceptance, where Owly learns that everyone is special and it's okay to be different.

Relying on a mixture of symbols and expressions, Andy Runton's animated and heartwarming style makes Owly a perfect read for everyone.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Friendship, Graphic Novels Comics

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 2006

About the author

Andy is the creator of the breakout all-ages series of graphic novels, Owly, featuring a kind-hearted little owl who's always searching for new friends and adventure. Relying on a mixture of symbols and expressions to tell his silent stories, Andy?s work showcases both his gift for characterization and his love of birds, animals, and the outdoors. His animated and heartwarming style has made him a favorite of both fans and critics alike.

The Owly series has earned him multiple awards in the comics and graphic novel community, including the Howard E. Day Memorial Prize, the Harvey Award, two Ignatz Awards, and the 2006 Eisner Award for "Best Publication for a Younger Audience". He lives in the greater Atlanta area, where he works full-time on Owly comics, books, and graphic novels.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to catch up with my old friend Owly. If you are looking for a series reminiscent of Winnie-the-Pooh then this is the series for you: Owly is a 'positive' cartoon version of Candide: he tries so hard to find 'the best of all possible worlds' - his only desire is to be his best once that world is found. What a concept! Wonderful illustrations!

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother-daughters-grandson-book-club read for February, 2022. My grandson, who is a first grader and an avid new reader was a bit jealous that his mother, aunt and I are in a book club together, so he asked if he could be included in our monthly Zoom meetings. For his first club meeting, he has chosen this graphic novel. His mom says he could use a little help with comprehension....and grandpa has asked to join in the discussion too since could use a little help in that area as well. :-)

A very cute story about overcoming fears and making friends. Colorful and charming graphics.

[Michelle Kimber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learning to fly, not fly but soar

Only and Wormy find a new friend who is scared of Only and keeps running away. Shadow is a flying squirrel who make friends with Wormy. Still he avoids Owly, until Wormy gets hurt. Shadow helps Owly learn to glide. Then with Flutter they make quite a little friend group. As always this is sweet and charming. Consistent vibrant colored graphic novel. Take time to read or watch or listen to something cute every day.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owly is just so adorable!  
 
In Flying Lessons, Owly learns about acceptance and overcoming fears when he tries to make a new friend. Along with his friend, Wormy, Owly finds a strange new creature. When they try to find it in a book, they realize the creature is a flying squirrel and that its main predator is the owl. Owly is still determined to befriend the flying squirrel and Wormy tries to help.
 
The artwork is in black & white which allows the focus to be mainly on the character’s faces as they express complex emotions. Younger readers can appreciate the simple pictures and story, and older kids and adults will get the deeper meaning. The wordless stories leave room for children to come up with their own interpretations.
 
I loved this story, so cute, and so touching. This is a great graphic novel series, that should be part of every elementary school library.

[Rachel Aranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

What a great book showcasing overcoming fears. The new friend introduced, a flying squirrel named Shadow, has such timidity over meeting anybody new that it reminded me of my own anxiety disorders. I found myself rooting for Owly and Wormy to befriend her even though it seemed highly difficult. Who knew Owly himself had his own fear to overcome from childhood? So glad he had a protective teacher around him. I do however wish to meet his childhood bully…to talk… yes… that’s it…. 😎

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first thought was to say the Owly tales illustrate the power of optimism, but that’s true only so much as Owly’s attitude motivates his actions. Really, this is a series of stories about unrelenting giving, compassion, and friendship. Very simple, wordless stories with adorable art (I say adorable as someone who doesn’t do saccharine or cloying). Following the sequence and understanding all the messages implied by the symbols that stand in for words when dialogue occurs can still be a sophisticated reading task, but with the right experience or older helper, these are great for kids of all ages.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another volume in the Owly series, another dose of cuteness overload. This series is obviously targeted at children, but there's something there that is also appealing to anyone of any age. The hope, compassion, and optimism that oozes off of every page is the perfect counterpoint to the drudgery of most adult everyday lives. For me, Owly is a pick-me-up of the best kind, and I can't help but feel better about myself, the day, and our world after some time together with Owly and his friends.

[Penny Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

OWLY as usual, does not disappoint. Love the awesome artwork, love the sweet friendships and this story also packed a great message... Never give up, and there could always be another way to succeed at what you want and need.

[Jim Shaner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The creatures who inhabit Owly's world actually care about one another. Where can I find this place? Only on the printed page. Thank you, Andy Runton, for creating this much-needed world.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book about a young owl and his friend a worm living in some quiet woods. The thing that set this book apart for me and caused me to buy it for my 3-year-old daughter (on the recommendation of the clerk at the comic book shop) was that the charcters don't speak, at least not in words. Speech is represented in symbols, allowing a 3-year-old to follow the whole story (not just look at the pictures) without yet knowing how to read. There are a few exceptions to the no words rule (writing in books, onomotopeias), but it was so much fun to watch May light up when she realized she could read this book "all by myself!"

May is already fond of owls, at least in part from having her pre-school be at an Audobon Center. Owly as a character is certainly likable and even non-gender-identified (for those who have kept count and dispaired). Both Owly and Wormy get a little emo, with tears welling in their eyes when they see one another hurt, confused, or dissappointed. I think that is mainly an artifact of trying to give depth to characters with no words.

The blurb on the back of the book talks about lessons learned and how everyone is different. I was rather happy to see that this little tale was without much in the way of a moral. Owly just lives in a world where you can garden with you friends and any stranger in your neighborhood is an opportunity meet new friends and learn from them.

[Bill Doughty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the finest Russian novels of the 19th century, Owly Vol. 3: Flying Lessons explores themes of human struggle and... well, no, not really. It's a little kids' comic about a little owl who wants to make friends, a flying squirrel terrified that the owl wants to eat him, and the near fatal injury of their mutual worm friend that ultimately brings them together. Everything's really cute, and all the characters speak in pictograms. Little kids will love it, but adults' tolerance may vary; some will dig it, others will be sent into an official Sunny Von Bulow diabetic coma from the sweetness of it all. So, you know, you've been warned.

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute. Why was there so much drama for this little book lol? Owly and Wormy meet a new friend, a flying squirrel, but, unfortunately, the friend is deathly afraid of owls.

This cute comic covers good lessons like giving people a chance, not being afraid to try again, and doing things a different method.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owly learns to fly!

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

These Owly stories are beautifully done. Showing a wonderful sentiment through Owly's expressions, the emotion in his big eyes, his caring and looking out for others especially his friends is a great lesson for young ones to learn. In this book Owly and Wormy find a new friend who can fly. Owly hasn't been able to fly although he should be capable of flight. Again Owly is a natural predator of the new friend but Wormy....worms....his way in to pave the way for Owly and their speedy flying friend to get to know each other. Using symbols to explain the story makes it easy for young ones to follow along as Owly and Wormy have another adventure in making friends, helping and sharing.

[Qamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading "Flying Lessons" by Andy Runton! This delightful story shows us how important it is to believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams. Just like the characters learn that they can achieve great things with persistence and courage, you too can apply this lesson in your life. Whether it's learning a new skill, playing a sport, or tackling a difficult subject at school, remember that with hard work and confidence, you can soar to new heights. Keep trying, stay positive, and you'll see how wonderful it feels to fly toward your goals!

All our love and encouragement,
Mom and Dad

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Owly and Wormy are out one night, they discover a new critter: Shadow the flying squirrel. They are excited to become Shadow's new friend...but Shadow is terrified of Owly! Wormy eventually befriends Shadow and encourages her to give Owly a chance (and even teaches Owly how to fly!).

A very sweet (almost wordless) graphic novel that is great for grades 2-4.
I believe the original graphic novel is in black and white and is wordless. The Graphix edition is in full color with some text (although Owly only speaks in pictographs).

[Soobie is expired · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's so sweet!

The more I read Owly, the more I like this series. Runton's a genius when it comes to conveying feelings and actions without using any words.

In this book, poor Owly - I write "poor" because there's always a little bit of sadness in these pages - wants to befriend a flying squirrel who's afraid of Owl. Only Wormy can help him.

Jeez, when Owly was desperate and searching for Wormy, that was so sad...

Ready for more Owly.

[Princess Cordelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favorite Owly yet! Told only in pictures little emotional and sweet Owly is trying to make friends in his forest even though he’s the natural predator of many. In this particular book it’s a flying squirrel (which is adorable) and in the process of making this new friend we overcome some challenges and get some new backstory

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wordless graphic novel.
Owly learns to fly from an unusual source. He tries to be friends with a flying squirrel but the squirrel is afraid of him. Wormy teaches them both about taking risks and being friends. Great to use for acceptance and perseverance.

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told through adorable illustrations and symbols (and *almost* no words), Owly and its worm friend attempt to identify and befriend a very nervous flying squirrel. Very sweet, innocent, and expressive.

[Beth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud as we work our way through the updated versions of these books. As cute as they are, I continue to miss the wordless editions, though the color graphics have me buying the ones with words anyhow, just trying to read them more free form.

[Wendy wendigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the butte and cutest comics that there ever. Will be. Forget Archie and come owly. Owly is tops in my opinion and I like this volume because he learns new thing…..what life is about. Should be for all ages. :)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wordless graphic novel easy enough for younger kids but enjoyable to all. This series provides a wonderful opportunity to practice empathy with our triumphant main character.

[Lydia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book about Owly and Wormy!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really charming. It would be really good for early readers, because it only has a few words.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here we learn more about why we have never seen Owly fly, but also we deal with scary situations and worry about friends.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was about a 3.5 for me. I did like the first two better. I really did miss the colored photos of the first Owly.

[Lorryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire series is the cutest thing ever.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Shadow.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owly is really cute, but he makes he sad because he cries so much :p