Feathered Quill Book Reviews

 #Bookreview of Be WHOO You Are

By: Kathleen Welton

Illustrated by: Nuno Alexandre Vieira

Publisher: Archway Publishing

Publication Date: July 16, 2025

ISBN: 978-1665776752

Reviewed by: Lily Andrews

Review Date: September 2, 2025

What does it really mean to be yourself? That’s the question at the heart of Be WHOO You Are by Kathleen Welton, a gentle and masterfully illustrated children’s story that aims to show young readers, as well as the grown-ups reading to them, that you don’t need to copy anyone else to have value and that sometimes the best gift you can give to yourself is just being you.

The story follows Ollie the Owl, who is perched in his tree looking at all the animals around him and marveling at the wonders of nature. Bees are buzzling through the air making honey, the beavers are working hard stacking branches as they build a dam, and the otters are splashing and playing in the stream. Each time Ollie watches, he wonders: maybe that’s who I should be, maybe I should do what they do. His question is simple but deeply disturbing to his mind- “Who will I be? WHOO?”- but it carries that deep ache we all know from looking around and comparing ourselves to others.

Things take a surprising turn when Ollie’s friend, Betty the Bunny, who is chasing a butterfly, gets lost. She needs to get home by the end of the day and thus asks for Ollie's help. Suddenly Ollie’s quiet wonder turns into a moment of decision: he can either stay safe or try to help. With the arrival of Fred the Firefly, glowing softly in the night, Ollie discovers something in himself he didn’t know he had, drastically turning his attitude and self-esteem around for good.

This whole book is written in rhyme, which gives it this sing-song feeling, almost like you’re half reading and half humming a tune. If you’ve ever read to kids at bedtime, you know how much they love that - words rolling off the tongue and the rhythm pulling you along and before you know it, you’re swaying with the story. It’s the sort of creativity that makes a group's story time feel lively as the listeners turn to guessing the next rhyme, which is exactly what you want with a book like this. The pictures, done by Nuno Alexandre Vieira, match that rhythm beautifully. They’re soft, colorful, and warm and feel like the forest itself is wrapping around you. You look at the pages and you can almost hear the bees buzzing and the leaves rustling in the trees.

The words and pictures together work like a lullaby, calm and filled with wonder, and the characters, while simple, are strong in their simplicity. Ollie feels like every child who has ever stopped to wonder if she is enough, Betty is playful and a little silly in a way children will recognize instantly, and Fred is such a lovely reminder that even the smallest friend can shine brightly and make a difference. They are likable, insightful characters and the wise ideas they offer the protagonist linger long after the book is closed.

Quill says: At its heart, this book is about identity, courage, and kindness. It shows children that they don’t need to be anyone else and that they already have what they need to shine. And honestly? That’s a lesson most of us still need to hear even as adults. Be WHOO You Are by Kathleen Welton is one of a kind - gentle, warm, and hopeful and it is a must-read story that reminds us all, young or old, that being yourself is more than enough.

For more information about Be WHOO You Are, please visit the author’s website at kathywelton.com