"Beautiful illustrations, a heartwarming story and a very worthwhile cause. And it included my favorite - an owl!" -Rebecca Elliott, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Owl Diaries Series, now the Apple TV+ Animated Show Eva the Owlet
"William Morkill has written a powerful book that asks what can one child do to help solve the huge problem of homelessness in the United States. This beautifully illustrated picture book has a gentle, affirming message that we are all connected and that our own happiness depends on reaching out to others." -Lois Brandt, Award-Winning Author of Maddi's Fridge, a United Nations Zero Hunger Reading List Selection
"As Mary Marianna encounters a homeless man slumped on the sidewalk, she embarks on a mission to make a difference. The author beautifully captures the innocence, empathy and resilience of a young girl's heart as she navigates her way through challenging circumstances. Through the introduction of chess as a shared activity, the book not only reinforces the importance of strategy and patience but also symbolizes the growth and empowerment of each character, including Mary Marianna herself." -Washington Chess Federation
"As an educator, advocate and homeless service provider, I am always on the lookout for books that not only entertain but also educate and inspire kindness in young readers. Mary Marianna, Great Owl, and the Chess Master is a must-read for any child who wants to learn about this important issue and make a positive impact in their community. The author skillfully weaves a heartwarming story that teaches empathy, compassion and the power of small acts of kindness. The illustrations are beautiful and capture the emotions of the characters perfectly. I highly recommend this book to parents, teachers and anyone who wants to raise empathetic and socially conscious children." -Julie Garcia, Executive Director of Jewels Helping Hands
"[This] is an amazing and inspiring story of a young female who awakens her community. Creating more happy people is the way to live!" -Chouchanik Airapetian, Director of Women's and Girls of WCF, FIDE Instructor, WFM and Three-Time WA State Women's Champion
"Mary Marianna, Great Owl, and the Chess Master is an uplifting story for children … a refreshing look at a difficult problem through the eyes of a child that inspires hope and encourages responsible action to make the world a better place."-Jonathan Ferry, Bestselling Author of Across the Battlefield: A Pawn's Journey
"I loved everything about Mary Marianna, Great Owl, and the Chess Master - especially the owl. Viktor is quite mysterious, and the competition - which we didn't know at first - makes itself clear in the end and shows a nice story: that helping others brings us happiness too." -Tanitoluwa Adewumi, Nigerian-American Chess Player, FIDE Master (at Age 10) and 2019 K-3 New York State Chess Champion (at Age 8)
"This beautifully illustrated book has a timely message that one hopes will resonate with all ages." -Spokane Chess Club
"Mary Marianna, Great Owl, and the Chess Master evokes the tender heart of a child who knows and believes that 'happiness finds us when we help others.' This is the greatest lesson that any child can ever learn or experience. When encountering a homeless man on the sidewalk, young Mary Marianna is called to action to find a way to help, and it is by helping each other that the world becomes better for everyone." -Brenda Sturgis, Award-Winning Author of Still a Family
"I agree that children and adults often can help others who experience homelessness and am impressed with the author's donation of a portion of the sales to Habitat for Humanity International. This donation is a way for children and adults to help, consistent with the author's message." -Tonya Lippert, Mental Health Therapist and Author of Home
"Mary Marianna, Great Owl, and the Chess Master explores homelessness with great sensitivity. I love that Viktor, the character who is homeless, is treated with the respect he deserves and seen as someone who has something valuable to teach and give. Children, after reading this, are more likely to see people who are homeless as people like themselves and like other people they know. They'll remember Viktor." -Diane O'Neill, Author of Saturday at the Food Pantry
"Mary Marianna, Great Owl, and the Chess Master is a beautifully illustrated tale that dives straight to the heart of the matter and delivers little nuggets of truth that are, at once, timeless and timely." -Jonathan David Voss, Illustrator of Award-Winning Book Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
12/08/2023
PreS-Gr 2—On a city sidewalk, propped beside a chessboard set for a willing opponent, a cardboard sign reads, "It's your move." Next to the game sits Viktor, a white, unhoused man with a gray beard and threadbare clothes. Blissfully unaware, first grader Mary Marianna, with tan skin and brown hair, approaches Viktor singing a ditty. When she sees him slumped on the ground, her gaiety fades, replaced by confusion and sorrow. She seeks answers from her mother about Viktor's situation, who only responds, "It's one of those things." Mary Marianna, resolute in her desire to find support for Viktor, is visited by an owl at her window. Great Owl beckons her into the nearby forest, where she offers Mary Marianna the wisdom that "happiness finds us when we help others." Morkill's altruistic picture book addresses the collective societal responsibility of assisting people who are unhoused. Despite the story's sincerity, it languishes from a saccharine tone and a long-winded, disjointed narrative. The story's underdeveloped chess theme misses its potential, as its relationship to the story leans heavily on telling versus showing. Great Owl, who contributes considerably to the story's didacticism, feels like an extraneous character, as Mary Marianna draws her own conclusions about aiding Viktor before the owl's influence. Solis's digitally painted illustrations adequately depict the narrative, but offer little in the way of expanding on the text. An author's note extrapolates upon the growing issue of people unhoused in the U.S. VERDICT A worthy message marred by narrative challenges.—Emily Brush
