Radiowl Times

You may have noticed by now that not only do I like Barbara Jones, but I perhaps like her owls best of all.  Which means that I have been wanting a copy of this, the apotheosis of all her owlery, for quite some time.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet front cover

It’s a late children’s book from 1970, and given that the only time I’d ever seen it on offer was for £650 on Abebooks, I didn’t think we’d ever own one.  But, finally, eBay came up with a copy.  And at a price which meant that we didn’t have to mortgage the cats to buy it, either.

Now, as a set of illustrations of owls by Barbara Jones, it can’t be bettered. Here are the family having their nightly row about the correct colour balance of the television set.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet argument about TV

And here are Twit and Howlet themselves.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet the twins

This is their house.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet Owlery

And here is a passing cat (owls and cats are, of course, deadly enemies).

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet cat

But it’s not just the drawing which make the book delightful, some of the page layouts are a total joy as well.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet title pages

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet double spread

This is perhaps my favourite.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet double spread 2

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet sand

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet umbrella

The details are also brilliant, like the sand in the illustrations above.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet sand detail

Along with the provisions the two owls buy for their trip.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet provisions

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet corned vole

But having said all that, I can see why there aren’t many copies available, because it doesn’t really work as a children’s book.

The plot is quite simple – Twit and Howlett build a hot air balloon and accidentally fly across the Channel and win a French balloon race with it. Organised by French owls, obviously.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet French balloon race

But most of the book isn’t concerned with what happens, it’s all about building the balloon.  And it’s done with a sense of humour (and a few long words) that is probably beyond the average picture book reader.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet Critical Path analysis

Thinking about what there was left to do, Howlet got depressed. ‘Critical Path Analysis,’ he said.  Twit looked startled. ‘That means start the longest problem first and our longest problem is the gunge for the envelope.’
‘What’s gunge?’ Twit asked.
‘Oil, rubber or mastic,’ replied Howlet, importantly.
‘What’s mastic?’
‘Gummy stuff, I think.’
Twit gave Howlet a withering look. ‘Same as gunge, in fact; what a one you are for complicating things.’

Meanwhile the owl family are still arguing over the television set.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet owl tv argument again

Next morning Howlet went back to the library and then on to the Chemist’s. He came back at last with a tin of something that the books and the Librarian and the Chemist all said would be suitable.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet gunge

They started to treat the envelope, first with elation, then with stickiness, and at last with a creeping immobility that had to be felt to be believed; but it was all done at last and hung up to dry.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet gunging

The Chemist had prudently given Howlet a bottle of gunge-solvent, so they had a long gruesome preen before dinner.

I love it, but I don’t think that’s quite the point.

I also think that she lost interest once the balloon had been built – the later illustrations do rather tail off in quality and detail. But you will be relieved to hear that the owls do get home safely in the end, and they get to see themselves with the cup on television.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet best colour row ever

It was the best colour-row ever.

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet back at home in bed

Barbara Jones Twit and Howlet  back cover

And quite possibly the best owls ever too.

 

  • OoH, thank you so much for sharing the inside of this delightful book! I, too, have had a long hankering after a copy but have only seen it available for riddiculous sums of money.
    The two page layouts & interior details are just super. Brilliant. I can feel an owl creation stirring in my creative thoughts…

  • Glad to be of service – and me too, having only ever seen the one for £650, I wasn’t expecting ever to get my paws on one. And I look forward to seeing the owl that results…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.