Today, we explore the mysteries of owls through science and children’s books. In this NPR video, a particular young male owl named Baltimore is tracked from a Maryland beach to his last known location up in Canada.
This is in response to a strange phenomenon: “At the end of 2013, snowy owls started showing up far south of their usual winter range. The big white birds were reported in South Carolina, Georgia, even Florida…The lives of snowy owls aren’t well understood because they spend much of their lives in the Arctic, far from humans. But Brinker and fellow bird biologist Scott Weidensaul knew if they could follow the movements of these wide-ranging owls as the birds returned to the frozen north, the scientists could learn a lot about their hunting patterns, breeding behavior, and migration routes.” NPR
I also have a book list of owl books that my kids enjoyed. Can you help me add to this list with your favorites? Thanks!
p.s. More related posts:
Science of Owls and Bats Through Picture Books
Fun and Free Owl Themed Learning Activities by Mama Smiles
Night Owls by Doodles and Jots
Owl Books for Kids
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
Separation anxiety was never articulated in a more compelling way as three owlets fret about their missing mother until she returns to a joyous celebration. [picture book, ages 3 and up]
Whoo-ku Haiku: A Great Horned Owl Story by Maria Gianferrai, illustrated by Jonathan Voss
The story of a Great Horned owl family is told through haiku poems in this engaging and beautifully illustrated picture book. Maria’s use of poetry heightens the drama of the owl family as they nest, lay eggs, and raise a young owlet family. I especially love the endnote with interesting owl facts. This book to perfect combine April poetry month with owl STEM, particularly for classrooms who dissect an owl pellet, like my kids did in 5th grade (and again in high school). [picture book, ages 4 and up]
So You Want to Be an Owl: Everything there is to know about owls! by Jane Porter, illustrated by Maddie Frost
Professor Olaf Owl has nine fascinating lessons on how to be an owl. It’s a primer for owlets and owl enthusiasts! This narrative nonfiction book is a fun way to learn interesting facts about owls. [nonfiction picture book, ages 4 and up]
Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel
No one tells more charming short stories for the newly independent reader than Arnold Lobel. In this book, Owl lives by himself in a cozy house and has some quiet and charming adventures. [easy reader, ages 6 and up]
Snowy Owl Invasion!: Tracking an Unusual Migration by Sandra Markle
The Nonfiction Detectives have a great review here:
Sandra Markle’s latest high-interest science picture book examines the topic of snowy owls and their changing migration patterns. Markle is a pro at using inquiry and questions to draw readers into the story. The first chapter focuses on the Arctic habitat of the snowy owl. In recent years snowy owls have been seen in Canada and the U.S. (as far south as Florida). What has caused them to migrate so far south? Markle interviewed scientists when she was researching the book, and the scientists pose several theories about why snowy owls have migrated south. Each two-page spread is made up of stunning photographs of snowy owls in the wild along with detailed captions. One of the most impressive photographs captures a bird in flight with mottled wings spread. [nonfiction picture book, ages 8 and up]
The Guardians of Ga’Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky
My son enjoyed this exploration of good versus evil set amongst various species of owls in a fantasy kingdom. This is a sixteen book series with three additional spin-off books. Fans of Erin Hunter’s Warrior series and Tui T. Sutherland’s Wings of Fire series may enjoy this series. [chapter book series, ages 8 and up]
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Ecowarriors battle pancakes in this coming of age story that includes themes of moving and having to make new friends, battling bullies, and pint-size owls that somehow are the key to everything. [chapter book, ages 10 and up]
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.
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p.s. Related posts:
Science of Owls and Bats Through Picture Books
Picture Books with Birds as Inspiration or Character
All About Hummingbirds: A Unit for Kids
Bluebirds of Happiness KidLit GIVEAWAY & Kid Lit Blog Hop
Birds of North Captiva, Florida, Saved From Extinction!
Barcelona: Birds, Pickpocketers, and Barca Futbul
My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Snowy Owl Invasion was great! I see that Owl Moon is listed above, I also love Tony Johnston’s The Barn Owls and Nicola Davies’ White Owl, Barn Owl. Laurence Pringle’s Owl! is also a great intro to owls.
And in 2020 you could add my owl book, Whooo-Ku to your list, Mia :)!! It’s a great horned owl story told in haiku and will be illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss, coming from Putnam :).
Hi Maria,
Your owl book sounds great! Thanks for the other great recs!