Born in Oregon Territory in 1852, Edwin Markham served as Oregon’s first Poet Laureate from 1923 to 1931. By then, he’d become celebrated across the nation for his literary output dedicated to social reform and the unity of humankind.

Yet for all of his decades of writing, today he is best remembered for a simple epigram called “Outwitted”:

He drew a circle that shut me out —

Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.

But Love and I had the wit to win:

We drew a circle that took him in!

These words are as germane today as when Markham first wrote them, and two new picture books promote similar values, although expressed in different ways.

Seattle author Hilary Horder Hippely has spent years as a preschool teacher, and she applies that firsthand experience to her story titled “I Know How to Draw an Owl.”

Having taught many young students whose families have lost permanent housing, Hippely has seen the bravery required by those families as they try to retain a semblance of normalcy and optimism.

In “I Know How to Draw an Owl,” Hippely tells the story of a young girl named Belle and her mother, who are living out of their car. Belle is shy at school, and she finds it hard to sleep in the car at night.

But one evening she hears the mysterious sound of a hoot owl nearby. The owl returns nightly, and when Belle finally gets a chance to see the bird, she is filled with a comforting new sense of belonging.

By story’s end, Belle overcomes her shyness to extend a warm welcome to a child who is a newcomer to her class.

Illustrator Matt James uses a dark palette, effectively underscoring Belle’s hidden worries, and his double-page spread depicting the owl sighting is thrilling.

Another book called “Listen, Wonder, Ask” is about “coming-here stories.” Author Elly Berke introduces us to Nadine, a youngster whose mom has told her that lots of people have stories about how they came to this place from elsewhere.

When Nadine tries that as an ice-breaker question with a new girl at the playground, Yan shares that she flew here on a plane from China.

Then the story follows Yan as she walks home with her dad, and asks a lady planting flowers what her coming-here story is. Symona is pleased to be asked — she tells Yan she was both excited and scared when she came from Russia and had to learn English.

Another turn of the page, and we see Symona asking someone in a coffee shop about their coming-here story.

“Listen, Wonder, Ask” is a delightful twist on “tag, you’re it” — and Bellingham artist Luciana Navarro Powell, whose own coming-here story began in Brazil, provides cheery illustrations.

This week’s books

“I Know How to Draw an Owl” by Hilary Horder Hippely, illustrated by Matt James

Holiday House — 32 pp — $18.99

“Listen, Wonder, Ask” — by Elly Berke, illustrated by Luciana Navarro Powell

Tilbury House — 28 pp — $18.99