O is for Owl Moon: Library Notes

The author, Jane Yolen, wrote this book as a recollection of days her husband took their children out owling.  He was an active bird-watcher who shared his passion with his children. We should all share what we enjoy the most with those we love.  The author had their story illustrated by John Schoenherr in soft colours.

The setting of the book is in the woods, late at night in the cold of wintertime. The human characters are a child and her father but personification makes many other components of the scene come to life. The trees stood still as giant statues, the moon made his face into a silver mask and the train and the dogs sang out.

The sounds of the story are intense even though they are based in silence.  There was to be no conversation except the owl calls.  The girl listened so hard for them that her ears hurt and the reader is listening too for anything to 'jump out' from the cold, dark, shadowy night. What they hear is the story of nature and humanity communicating with one another.

The girl explains that to go owling a person has to be quiet, brave, and self-controlled.  She explains how she does this while out with her Pa.  As we read along, we may consider other times and situations that call for these qualities and how to go about building discipline in these areas.  

The story clearly details the new experience she is enjoying on this night out with her dad.  It helps us to learn about owling and encourages us to also try something new with someone close.  Can you explain an event with as much detail as the author of this book?

Like, consider the descriptions of the shadows.  "Pa made a long shadow." Hers was "short, round and bumped after her".  She got a little spooked when the shadows were "the blackest things...they stained the white snow." However, when the shadow (owl) hooted again" she was filled with joy.  Later, the owl lifted off the branch like a shadow and she reconciled the shadow experience as she followed her father home as his shadow figure.

What shadow activities can you come up with to connect to this story?  Letting the sun cast toy shadows onto paper to be traced? Finding your shadow as you walk and the funny ways you can alter the image?  Making shadow puppets on a wall using a flashlight and your hands?  Shadows can be scary but they can also be fun.  This is something that can be discussed using a book like Owl Moon.

Just as you can make shadows, can you copy bird calls like that of the owl?  Do you want to try bird watching? Can you draw an owl?  Can you draw an owl moon?  Find ways to connect to the story that are meaningful to you and the child(ren) in your life. You can write your own adventure and work on descriptive language. You can analyze the metaphors and similes.  Or, you can just snuggle in for a good read.  However you use this book to build literacy skills, be sure to do it in a way that is fun and creates great memories.