Author Review: LeeAnna Kail

I often wonder about the sense it makes to have a blind author review the work of a picture book. I feel the weight of responsibility to do justice to these author's since a good amount of their work is illustrated, not written.
While reviewing the book "The Owl Who Couldn't Whoo" by LeeAnna Kail, I did not struggle with this challenge at all.
My sighted helpers assured me the characters and settings were well done and vibrantly portrayed, but it was her use of dialect that made this book enjoyable.
Ollie is known for one thing in his village: he is the only owl who cannot “WHOO.” The other owls tease him for saying “WHEERE!” or “WHEEN!” or “WHYY!”
and sometimes “WHAAT!” All Ollie wants is to fit in, but when his little sister gets lost in the woods, Ollie discovers he can help.
Kail's use of "owl dialect' made this story fun and interesting. While the other owl's could only ask the question 'Who' to try to locate Ollie's sister, Ollie's other 'wh' words saved the day.
As a blind mom, wife, writer, and all around human being, this story struck home for me. I fulfill my many roles unlike everyone else does because I am  "differently abled", but often my other senses work better than those of the sighted.
This story was a great example of living the belief;
"Why try to fit in, when you were born to stand out.

While providing insightful perspectives on diversity, The OWL Who
Couldn’t WHOo also inspires both the young and old to love and accept themselves, along with the differences and uniqueness of others.
Publisher: Halo Publishing, Int.
ISBN Number(s): 978-1-61244-129
Places where available: Halopublishing.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, by author
Ever since LeeAnna Kail was little, she had an interest in writing. In fact, when she was in the fourth grade, she completed a career project and dressed
as an author with dreams of writing her own book one day.

LeeAnna attended Duquesne University with a double major in political science and English with intentions of attending law school after graduation. While
studying abroad in Rome, Italy, LeeAnna had a change of heart and decided to continue her education at Duquesne studying elementary education instead.
She knew she found her niche the first day of class. Inspired by an assignment from a children’s literature course, LeeAnna's dream of writing a book has
come true.

LeeAnna currently teaches in Pittsburgh and hopes to be an inspiration to her students to follow their dreams.

You can find out more about LeeAnna Kail, her debut children’s picture book and her World of Ink Author/Book Tour at
http://tinyurl.com/n5bul86

Follow LeeAnna Kail at

Twitter:
@LA_Kail
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?__user=35107802

I was hoping to get LeeAnna's cover up on the blog today as well, and I will keep trying. However, I am experiencing technical difficulties with my speech program. Look for the cover of The Owl Who Couldn't Whoo, later today.