Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson, is a classic children’s picture book. It is a timeless story that even very young children can relate to, with stunning and engaging illustrations. If you have children at school they might already know this story as it is often read and enjoyed in nurseries and classrooms.
The owl babies Sarah, Percy and Bill are gorgeous white, fluffy, wide-eyed owlets. They live in the hollow of a tree with their Owl Mother. We are introduced to them in their cosy, safe home with their Mum. They are all together.
One night they awake to find that their Owl Mother has gone! The worry on poor little Bill’s face is plain to see. Most young children are likely to have experienced a time when they have woken up and Mummy isn’t there (either in a cot or a bed on their own) or when Mum is away. The situation is instantly recognisable and so early on in the story it usually makes little ones very interested to know what will happen next.
The Owl Babies handle the situation very well. There is no panic or crying. There is definitely fear and you can see it in their expressive faces but they are calm. They start to try and explain the situation to themselves: perhaps she is hunting; perhaps she will bring back mice. But their Owl Mother does not come. They sit on a branch huddled together. They don’t run or flap about, they don’t split up. They sit and wait.
Then silent and swooping their Owl Mother comes home! The Owl Babies flap and jump excitedly, clearly overjoyed at their Owl Mother’s return. She wonders what all the fuss is about. “You knew I’d come back,” she says, echoing the words of many parents when they return from being away.
Cleverly the story ends as it began, all the Owl Babies and their Owl Mother together. The picture is almost exactly the same as that which begins the story, bringing everything full circle to a happy conclusion.
Owl Babies offers a safe and secure opportunity to explore separation anxiety and the worries that children naturally experience. The story allows children to look at the situation of a parent going away through the eyes of Sarah, Percy and Bill and explore their own feelings. It also reinforces the idea that the situation will be resolved, if a parent goes away they will come back. If Mummy leaves you at nursery or with a childminder she will come and pick you up.
The story is not always a comfortable read and it reminds me that I should always read a story before sharing it with a child, so I know what is coming and I am prepared for questions that might arise. Don’t ever think that just because a book is meant for children it does not contain challenging themes. The Owl Babies are alone for a short time and they handle the situation well, but that time is also full of fear and tension. It is good for children to be able to experience feelings through stories and explore how the characters handle the scenario and it can help them make sense of similar situations in their own lives. Stories like Owl Babies help to develop a child’s emotional intelligence and learn how to deal with anxiety and for that reason I believe it is a very important book but if you know that a child’s personal circumstances mean that this story is not right for them at this time, then save the story for another day.
We have read the story many times and it is interesting to see the change in response to the story over time. On our first reading there was definite concern that the Owl Mother had gone but we were happy when it was clear that everything would be fine in the end. Having read the story several times together Burt will now add his own reassurances and try to persuade the little owls that it will all be alright, taking the oldest owl, Sarah’s, role a little further.
Little Bill gets the final words in the story, which always result in a lovely and reassuring hug. Owl babies is a favourite of ours and another story, like Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, which ends with a focus on Mum.
Talk about
Owl Babies offers the perfect opportunity to explore feelings, anxieties and worries. It is a story charged with emotion and looking at the reactions of the Owl Babies is a good route to discussing a child’s own feelings.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day:
- How do the Owl Babies feel when they realise that their Owl Mother is gone?
- How do you feel when the Owl Babies first realise that their Owl Mother is gone?
- How do you feel when you are dropped off at school/childminder’s/Grandma’s?
- What do the Owl Babies do to help them feel better?
- The Owl Babies talk to each other and this helps them feel better. Do you think that talking about your worries can help you feel better?
- What worries you? When do you get worried?
- If you are worried what can you do to feel better?
- Are you afraid of anything?
- If you are afraid what can you do to feel better?
- If you were lost or alone what would you do?
Crafts and activities for kids
There are lots of opportunities for discussion, play and crafts inspired by Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson. The story only has four characters and lends itself to retelling the story with puppets or props. It has a classic introduction, problem and resolution so it is also a fantastic for exploring the structure of a story as well as emotions.
Have a look at the Pinterest Board full of crafts and activities for kids…
or take a look at these activities to accompany reading the book:
- Read and Create Handprint Owl
- The Fairy and The Frog Owl Babies Story Sack
- Teach Preschool Painting Owl Babies
- Sun Hats and Wellie Boots Owl Baby Story Puppets
- Art and Soul Preschool Egg Box Owls
Here is a fantastic animated version of the story…
What have you been reading this week?
There’s some great questions to talk about. It sounds like a good book but thank you for the warning that it may be a bit scary for younger children but there is a happy ending which makes up for it!
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins recently posted…Point + Shoot - First Post
aw wow how cute i love the illustrations in this , great post thankyou for sharing will look for it x
What a lovely read - I had seen the book but didn’t know what it was about. I shall have to look into getting a copy. I love what you say about children’s books containing challenging aspects! I think this is so important because children deal with a lot of experiences and emotions and it is so helpful for them to engage in stories in this kind of way.
Amanda recently posted…Homemade Vegetarian Bolognese with a (Chipotle) Twist
This is a fantastic post and one I’ve bookmarked to refer back to with the little girl I look after.
Love the illustrations and will look out for this book for my niece as I’m sure she’ll love it.
Katie x
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Katie Albury recently posted…The Prenup Debate…Divorce before I Do’s?
They’re so cute, brilliant illustrations
Angela Spicer recently posted…FitBug Orb - An Introduction To The Journey
We love this book for the great story and lovely illustrations. I will definitely take a look at your craft ideas - thanks!
Mummy of Two recently posted…Ever growing independence
I’ve read this book with my nephew. It is a lovely book overall. I just discovered your blog and love that you put together so many different activities to go with the children’s books. I will be having a good read and pining some for later.
I do love a book that makes you explore feelings and emotions, and this looks like a lovely one. Also, how cute is little Bill?! Aww x
Steph ( recently posted…Sticky Barbecue Ribs with Apple and Celeriac Slaw
What a fantastic post and a lovely sounding book! I ALWAYS said that to my kids “I’m coming back!” no matter what the situation! Lo and behold… back I came!
xx
Oh I had totally forgotten about this lovely book! I always have to tell my son that we will be back from wherever and tell him when, so after nursery, or after he spends the night with my sister etc.
Mummy Glitzer recently posted…Wednesday Words
I love the illustrations and it sounds like a lovely book. My oldest is very sensitive so it’s good to know there are challenging issues in the book and it’s true, I don’t often think about reading a book before I share it with my children but it’s definitely a useful thing to do!
I loved this book when my children were younger. And do you know I still catch my 9 year old requesting it for a bedtime story every now andthen!
Actually Mummy… recently posted…Useful discoveries for families - March 2014
I’ve never seen this book before, but I love the illustrations and the moral of the story, in fact this would probably still even interest and “work” with my 7 year old. Thanks for sharing.
Franglaise Mummy recently posted…Should my 7 year old be more PC?
This is very interesting. I dont always read the book first. I think now i should. I had read a few children books and they have words like bonkers in it. my kids now learn bonkers which I personally dont wish I had taught them.
My son has read Owl Babies in school and he wasn’t too worried by it, he enjoyed the story! It’s good that it gives an opportunity to discuss these topics though
anna recently posted…10 Great Kids Apps
This is one of my daughter Belle’s favourites. Despite now reading full blown novels she always comes back to Owl Babies. I think she finds it comforting. She now reads it to Fran so we have another fan!
Louisa recently posted…Making Easter egg bunting
It looks like a great book and lots of ideas for activities around the book, thanks for sharing x
Great theme for a book, dealing with worry and concern and how to resolve it. The illustrations are really good too.
Jo Bryan recently posted…Darwin’s Home Review
What a great book Kirsty, not come across this before. It has great illustrations too. Must have a nose next time we’re out. Have a book review to do too so must link up as well
Owl babies is the best! my MIL bought a copy for Wilf and she said she used to read it at the nursery she worked out to help the kids understand their mums would come back
x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…Our weekend in pictures
I am loving this series! Funnily enough I have never read this book which seems crazy as it is a classic and we have SOOO many books! It certainly looks like one that we might get next time and we’ll use your questions too! x
Lori recently posted…JUST SO FESTIVAL 2014
What a lovely looking book, I love Owls and with the recent obsession with them this will be a hit!
Kara recently posted…Cupets
We’ve read and loved this book and Monkey Puzzle was my eldest’s favourite for a very long time. I love your review, it feels as though it really connects to how a child perceives the story, and that is, after all, why we read these in the first place.
Aisha from expatlog recently posted…When Aspergers Is Good News
I remember owl babies! It’s such a sweet little story - which does tackle that ‘fear’ while having a happy loving ending.x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…adidas Energy Boost: Review
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I love the idea of teaching children about trust and that their parents will come back when they go away etc, but there’s just something about it that scares me/creeps me out and I have no idea what… maybe the pictures? But I usually love owls
Charlotte recently posted…Panning for easter eggs
I had completely forgotten about this book, will hunt it out later!
Kizzy recently posted…#TheGallery Yellow
We picked this book up at our last charity shop trawl.My youngest two loved it and as you say there’s lots to talk about as you go along.
Aly recently posted…Green People- Children’s Berry Smoothie Shampoo And Conditioner
Oh that sounds like a lovely book, and gorgeous illustrations - as you say, perfect for little ones that go to nursery.
Owl Babies is a gorgeous book, and a real favourite of ours. I love all of the ideas to talk about. I’ve linked up, thank you.
Pippa Ainsworth recently posted…Win a Project B Mum to Be Gift Subscription
This is such a wonderful book - I used to love reading it to my kids. This post has reminded me that I should get it out of the library here and read it together again (our copy is in storage in UK).
Kriss MacDonald recently posted…The Giant Jam Sandwich
We love Owl babies at our house. thanks for hosting this great Link Up
Lesley recently posted…Isabella’s Bed by Alison Lester
I have recommended Owl Babies to so many parents of children who are starting school or preschool. It’s a great book to help children deal with separation anxiety.
Catherine recently posted…Dog Loves Counting by Louise Yates
Katie says
Owl babies! <3! I reviewed this on my blog a few days ago. My 20 month old loves it. It might help a bit that he's obsessed with owls! The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is told in such a lovely way, the ending is obvious but it doesn't make it any less lovely when it happens. And the owl babies are cute and the owl mammy is stunning.
I'm going to do a couple of reviews of my toddlers favourite books at the moment and link up tomorrow. Both have lovely illustrations and are great for under 2's :). I love this linky, I love kids books!
Katie recently posted…Inhale/Exhale bath bomb from Lush (Easter 2014 range)
Thanks for including our story sack. We love this book. Lots of lovely ideas to use to explore it.
The Fairy and The Frog recently posted…DIY Gruffalo story sack