Owly

Step into a forest where words aren’t needed—where a tiny owl with enormous eyes and an even bigger heart is about to change everything you thought you knew about friendship. Owly, the Eisner Award-winning series from creator Andy Runton, has been quietly redefining children’s storytelling since 2004, proving that the most profound tales need zero dialogue—just a whole lot of heart.

Here’s the magic: Runton tells stories through symbols, icons, and faces so achingly expressive that no speech bubble is necessary. Hearts drift above Owly’s head when he feels love. Lightbulbs flicker when inspiration strikes. Question marks hover in moments of confusion. It’s a visual vocabulary that anyone—pre-reader, emerging reader, or adult needing a reminder that goodness exists—can understand in an instant. WIRED called it “one of the best comics for kids around. Period.” The Eisner Awards took notice. And readers across two decades have proven them both right.

At the heart of it all is Owly, a round bundle of feather and kindness whose expressive face somehow conveys the entire emotional spectrum without uttering a single syllable. By his side: Wormy, the relentlessly cheerful earthworm who sees the best in everyone; Scampy, the skunk who isn’t what you’d expect; and Shadow, the flying squirrel learning that trust must be earned. These are characters discovering that appearances deceive and that the truest connections transcend species, size, and first impressions. From rescuing injured birds to helping shy animals find courage, each story balances moments of genuine emotional depth—saying goodbye, overcoming fear, standing up for others—with lighthearted humor and warmth. Runton’s forest glows in jewel-toned color, and Publishers Weekly isn’t exaggerating when it calls every character “delightfully expressive”—warmth radiates from each page like sunlight through leaves.

Originally launched through Top Shelf Productions in 2004 with The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer, Owly found its perfect home with Scholastic Graphix, which has nurtured the series across eight volumes and counting. Just a Little Blue (2005) explored loneliness and longing. Flying Lessons (2006) reached for the sky. A Time to Be Brave (2007)—inspired by Runton’s real-life rescue of an opossum—taught quiet courage. Tiny Tales (2008/2024) gathered the small, perfect moments. Each volume deepens the emotional stakes while staying true to the series’ gentle soul, and the Owly & Wormy picture book spin-offs from Simon & Schuster extended that same wordless warmth to the very youngest readers. The adventures continue still: Owly and his friends move through the changing seasons of their forest home, each story a lesson in standing up for others, saying goodbye when you must, and choosing kindness even when it’s hard.

As Kirkus Reviews affirms, “Runton’s evocative characters are nothing short of huggably adorable and affirm the importance of compassion and empathy against perceived stereotypes… A simple but by no means simplistic tale emphasizing the universality of kindness.” People magazine notes the series “appeals to all ages,” while Booklist praises its “simple charm, wisdom, and warmth.” All volumes of Owly are available through Scholastic’s Graphix imprint at bookstores, libraries, comic shops, and online retailers, with free Owly comics also available on Andy Runton’s website.

Perfect for fans of Bone by Jeff Smith, Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton, and anyone who believes that the kindest stories are the ones that stay with us longest.