The friendly, unsentimental narration is a far cry from saccharine stories of wild animals becoming beloved pets; Tanna understandably finds Ukpik a chore (and her brothers had "seen Ukpik eat. They said she was gross"), and it's clear early that the owl is a predator and not a toy. Kang's digital art in line and watercolor style is low key in its streamlined figures but perceptive in its inclusion of details about Tanna's Canadian Inuit lifestyle, from the huskies relaxing outside their house to the coral chunks of fish the family enjoys (and eventually shares with Ukpik); the returning Ukpik in her snowy glory contrasts effectively with the homey earthtones. This is a different kind of wildlife story that's more about the rigors of service than the temptation of ownership, and kids will appreciate the realism and humor as well as the eventual reward.