For many years now, Friesens has been a proud champion of literacy, learning, and the lifelong value of reading by supporting schools, authors, libraries, and communities across Canada. That commitment comes to life every February during I Love to Read Month, a celebration we are proud to participate in year after year.
This past month was no exception. Throughout February, Friesens employees visited Grade 2 classrooms across the Pembina Valley to share Owl, the 2026 I Love to Read book of the month, alongside our friends at Golden West. In partnership with the author and publisher, Friesens donated 1,000 books to the students, filling classrooms with enthusiastic owl calls, curious questions, and bright smiles—reminders of how stories can spark imagination and create lasting connections.
Owl, written by Kara Griffin and illustrated by K. (Kayla) Shawn Larson, is a gentle yet meaningful picture book published by Acorn Press. On the surface, it tells the story of a young boy, his grandfather, and an owl calling from the forest at night. But as Kara explains, the heart of the book is much deeper. “At the heart of it, I think it’s a story about love,” she says. “About knowing that love is always there, whether you see it or not.”
Much of Owl is rooted in real family history. The story draws inspiration from a nearly 100‑acre woodlot in Prince Edward Island that has been in Kara’s family for generations. Carefully cared for over the years, the woods are home to a once‑mysterious barred owl whose presence and stories stayed with Kara throughout her life. That quiet sense of being watched over inspired the emotional core of the book.
Kara wrote Owl over several years, letting the story grow at its own pace. Her upbringing in rural PEI—surrounded by wildlife, trees, and wide‑open skies—continues to influence her creative work. “I’m very drawn to writing stories about nature and creatures with wings,” she says. Family also shaped the story: the grandfather character was inspired by her father, and the young boy by her nephews.
The artwork by K. Shawn Larson adds a deeply personal layer to the story. Many illustrations are based on real photographs of the family woodlot and the owl that inspired the book. One image of the grandfather seated on a log even mirrors an old photograph of Kara’s father sitting on a bench he built himself.
One of Kara’s favourite ideas about storytelling is that once a book is published, it becomes the reader’s. That philosophy came to life in classrooms throughout February as students eagerly echoed owl calls and shared their own connections to the story. For many young readers—and adults—Owl sparked memories they hadn’t expected.
As the 2026 I Love to Read Month book, Owl encouraged participation, curiosity, and imagination—values that reflect why Friesens remains committed to promoting reading. Books connect generations, build empathy, and open doors to learning, and Friesens is honoured to help put meaningful stories into the hands of readers across Canada.
For questions about this release, please contact:
Pamela Hiebert, Marketing Manager
pamelah@friesens.com | 204‑319‑8105
