The Know It Owl and the Axolotl

by Terri Sabol, Paula Piechna (Illustrator)

Discover the enchanting world of The Know It Owl Series, where the wise and witty Owl sets out to correct the misconceptions of animals from around the world and enlightens them with the truth.

In this book, Owl visits Axolotl, who has a child-like wonder. Owl playfully scoffs at her incorrect facts by adding, “Axolotl nonsense,” before setting her straight on the true facts.

Get ready to laugh, learn, and be enchanted by the wisdom of The Know It Owl Series.

32 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
The Know It Owl and the Axolotl is an enchanting tale that seamlessly blends entertainment with education, fostering a deep appreciation for wildlife among young readers. The illustrations in this picture book are not just charming; they explode with vibrant colours and intricate details, effectively breathing life into the narrative and capturing the imaginations of children.
Embark on an exciting journey with the wise and whimsical Owl, who takes little ones on an adventure filled with fascinating insights, particularly about the often-misunderstood Axolotl. Throughout the story, Owl dispels common myths and presents fun facts, ensuring that learning feels engaging and approachable. This interactive experience not only entertains but also encourages a sense of wonder about nature, storytelling, and the joy of learning.
My grandsons are captivated by this charming series, eagerly flipping through the pages and soaking in the delightful lessons.
This delightful book is an ideal addition to any library, whether at home or in a school setting, and it serves as a wonderful gift for children eager to explore the wonders of the natural world through reading.

[Alice Stellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit of a know-it-all, so when my son asked me a question about axolotls, I was frustrated to realize I didn't have the answer! Looking for one, this book's title definitely caught my attention. Luckily, the rest of it was as fun and cute as its title -- and it was informative, too.

Not only is this book full of fascinating facts about axolotls that genuinely surprised me and my son; it's also presented in an easy to read and very amusing way. For example, the axolotl in the story gives false facts about itself, only for the Know It Owl to swoop in with the right information. The author kept things interesting in a number of other ways, too. There are moments along the way where you (and/or the kid you might be reading this with) can do fun activities, including a maze and a find-it game. There's even a guide for how to draw an axolotl at the end.

And so, not only do you get a lot of facts about these fascinating and cute creatures, but the information is given in a clear, fun way that doesn't feel taxing or dull.

My son is in 5th grade and I was worried that this book might be too young for him, but we both found it really entertaining, and the facts were complex enough not to seem patronizing. I could definitely see younger kids liking this book, as well, though.

Overall, this is a really fun and informative introduction to axolotls -- and bonus for sharing a message of conservation.

Bonus points, as well, for the charming illustrations, by Paula Piechna. So many children's books published today look the same, with a sort of AI-generated or 3-D animation look that's totally devoid of charm and individualism. The illustrations here are hand-drawn and full of personality and visual appeal.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know It Owl is back and this time he is going head to head with the Axolotl. While the Axolotl is iffy on some of it's facts, the wise Owl helps offer insight into the mysterious creature.

One of my favorite series for kids. Interactive and I learned quite a bit about this creature. Definitely a series children will love.

[Meka Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was so great! It was cute and colorful! Informative but fun. The pictures was so pretty. My son also really enjoyed it at 10. I believe its a good choice for any age. Highly recommend The Know it Owl series!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 - 4.5 Stars

The Know It Owl and the Axolotl is the fifth book in The Know It Owl series by Terri Sabol. It is a cute children’s book with an educational component as the story educates us about Axolotls- enlightening us with ‘Axolotl facts’ as well as providing some fun ‘activities’.
The story is accompanied by some wonderful, colourful, and interesting illustrations which really help to bring everything to life.
As expected from Ms. Sabol, this is quite a delightful children’s story, and sets the series off to a great start, learning about the various animals with the Know-It-All Owl.
The Series Consists of:
-The Know It All Owl (Book #1)
-The Know It All Owl and the Otter (Book #2)
-The Know It All Owl and the Giraffe (Book #3)
-The Know It All Owl and the Kangaroo (Book #4)
-The Know It Owl and the Axolotl (Book #5)
Happy Reading…

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Know It Owl and the Axolotl by Terri Sabol was such a delight to read—I found myself smiling the whole way through. I especially loved Owl’s cheeky “Axolotl nonsense” line, which made me laugh out loud and reminded me of the silly things kids say when they’re learning new facts. The interactive dialogue really pulled me in, and I could easily imagine reading this aloud with kids, letting them take turns being the wise Owl or the curious Axolotl. The illustrations are so bright and playful that I caught myself lingering on the pages just to soak in the details. What I appreciated most is how the book sneaks in real knowledge while keeping the story fun and lighthearted.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series of books! Sabol makes them funny yet educational. I love the activities throughout the books that the kiddos can do like the mazes, finding the creatures, and so much more. This installment focuses on the axolotl. I adore how Sabol keeps the information age-appropriate but also adds to the story line and banter between the animals. There are also pockets of more in-depth information for your older readers and parents. I can't say enough about these books! Definitely add them to your shelves if you have animal lovers in your home!

[Holly DiBella-McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Know It Owl does it again in this delightful book that teaches us about the Axolotl. We love Owl with his no-nonsense approach to correcting misconceptions about animals. The cute book cover indicates that fun learning is about to begin. I smiled my way through this book as I learned about the amazing axolotl for the first time. Kids will love learning more and will be actively engaged through hands-on activities, such as a maze and a seek-and-find page. They will even learn how to draw an axolotl!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a series that I have enjoyed. The colorful pages that will pull your child into the story and keep them asking questions. This book is no different. Owl is back with another adventure and this time he visits with Axoloti. I enjoy Owl and his fun way of correcting those that he meets of the misconceptions about animals. This is a fun story that pulls education into the story in a way that is easy to learn. This is a great children’s book that any child would enjoy reading. I highly recommend this book.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of a series, but can definitely be read as a stand-alone. This book is an adorable explanation of what an axolotl is...and isn't, as told by an owl who knows everything. The information was fun and interesting, especially if you already like this little amphibians. Even as an adult, I learned something from this book! The illustrations are bright and colorful, and theres even a couple of games to keep young children engaged. I would recommend this book for anyone who has or cares for young children, especially if they like axolotls!

[Kelli Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful lesson in getting to know the Axolotl. This is for an advanced reader or for an adult to read to younger kids as some of the words and terms will be too difficult for young children to understand. The illustrations are fantastic, and the knowledge and facts are fascinating. I never knew these things and now understand more about this wonderful creature. This is the first book in this series that I have read but it will most definitely not be the last.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Know It Owl is a pretty smart bird. In this story, he knows all about axolotls and isn't afraid to share it! This book, while a work of fiction, does have some interesting facts about axolotls. There are also a couple of Spanish words and a method of measuring in the book using colored pencils. These features allow for further teaching beyond the words of the page.

I love this series and look forward to reading more!

[Erin Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn something new with every book

I’ve read and enjoyed many books by author Sabol. Her passion for nature and animals is evident in every book and this in no exception. Another well-done educational and humorous storyline with a creative invitation to draw at the end or the story.

I didn’t know anything about the axolotl (a.k.a. water dog) and learned with every page-turn. Highly recommended for any young readers ready who enjoys unique sea life.

[Darian - Books With A Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. We’re a big animal family so animal books are our go to. The book has great facts about axolotl’s, I was very surprised about the amount they’ve decreased in the wild. The illustrations are vibrant and eye catching, I don’t think they’ll bore kids. I really like the “how to draw” activity at the end. Definitely recommend for children who love learning new animal facts.

[Heather Rae Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome children's book! There are so many details and learning about them is fun! Go on an adventure with the Know it Owl while learning facts about Axolotls. There are interactive games that you can do over and over. I absolutely love this series and the Axolotl is fun to learn about. Get the whole series for your kiddos!

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-year-old and I have really enjoyed the Know It Owl books—Owl’s funny catchphrases always make us laugh, and the lovely illustrations keep the pages engaging. I especially love how the books sneak in so many facts without feeling heavy, and my child’s favorite part is spotting the hidden animals on each spread. It’s a great mix of fun and learning, and one we keep coming back to.

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a kids book that is fun, engaging and also educational. This is all of the above! This is one of the newest books in the Know it Owl series and my 8 year old loved it. He learned a lot about Axolotls and I did too. And the pictures are wonderful!

[Rachael Tarfman-Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story! I learned so much about Axolotls and love the humor. Check out this book for yourself. You will be happy that you did!