Best Books for Children about Owls

Are you looking for children’s books about owls? My kids love learning about animals, and I really enjoy seeing them light up when they follow their interests and learn more. We have loved studying about owls in our homeschool, and I compiled this list of kids picture books about owls to share with you! A few of these are not technically “children’s” books, but I know that even my 6 year old loves to look at books full of facts and photographs about owls. Whether you are doing a unit study about owls in your homeschool or just looking for some fun books about owls, I hope you enjoy this list of the best books for children about owls!

Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan  – It’s evening in the forest and Little Owl wakes up from his day-long sleep to watch his friends enjoying the night. Hedgehog sniffs for mushrooms, Skunk nibbles at berries, Frog croaks, and Cricket sings. A full moon rises and Little Owl can’t understand why anyone would want to miss it. Could the daytime be nearly as wonderful? Mama Owl begins to describe it to him, but as the sun comes up, Little Owl falls fast asleep.

The Barn Owls by Tony Johnston – Tony Johnston’s THE BARN OWLS recalls in quiet tones the memory of a barn that has stood alone in a wheat field for one hundred years at least. The owls have nested there and have hunted in the fields and circled in the night skies as time slowly slipped by. Every night, as the moon rises, a barn owl awakens and flies out to hunt. Feathered against the endless starry night, he swoops and sails to the darkened wheat field below and catches a mouse in his nimble talons. With outstretched wings, this barn owl returns to his barn nest and his hungry family, repeating the ageless ritual his ancestors have practiced here, in this barn, for at least one hundred years. Following the life cycle of the barn owl, this gentle poem evokes a sense of warm sunshine and envelopes readers with the memory of the scent of a wheat field.

National Geographic Readers: Owls by Laura Marsh – In this level 1 reader, young readers will explore the feathery world of adorable owls. Follow these curious-looking creatures through their wooded habitats, and learn how owls raise their young, hunt, and protect themselves. Beautiful photos and carefully leveled text make this book perfect for reading aloud or for independent reading.

Owls by Gail Gibbons – With their striking appearance and distinctive hoot, hoot, owls are one of the most recognizable birds in the world.  But did you know there are more than 140 types of owls living in the world? Gail Gibbons’ Owls celebrates the similarities and differences in the many species of owls, from large to small, living in diverse environments and making many different kinds of nests.  The book covers basics of owl behavior, information on how they hunt, and the many factors that have led some types of owls to become endangered. The boldly colored illustrations feature clear labeling, and all new words are defined and reinforced with clear, simple language, appropriate for young readers.  The book also features a page of intriguing owl trivia.

Barn Owls by Melissa Hill – Dark, quiet places like barns are these owls’ favorite hideouts. Just don’t disturb barn owls, or they’ll hiss and shriek! Learn more about these pale nighttime hunters with full color photos, range maps, and carefully leveled text.

Snowy Owls by Melissa Hill – Snowy owls make their homes in the icy white lands of the north. In these snowy places, they are perfectly camouflaged. Learn more about this giant owl with full color photos, range maps, and carefully leveled text.

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell – “I want my mommy!” Three baby owls awake one night to find their mother gone, and they can’t help but wonder where she is. What is she doing? When will she be back? What scary things move all around them? Stunning illustrations from striking perspectives capture the anxious little owls as they worry. Not surprisingly, joyous flapping and dancing and bouncing greet the mother’s return, lending a celebratory tone to the ending of this comforting tale. Never has the plight of young ones who miss their mother been so simply told or so beautifully rendered.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen – Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.  But there is no answer. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don’t need words. You don’t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is. Distinguished author Jane Yolen has created a gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind’s close relationship to the natural world. Wonderfully complemented by John Schoenherr’s soft, exquisite watercolor illustrations, this is a verbal and visual treasure, perfect for reading around and sharing at bedtime.

Owls of the World: A Photographic Guide by by Heimo Mikkola – Owls of the World, second edition, is the ultimate photographic resource dedicated to the identification of these charismatic birds of prey. The new edition is packed with spectacular photography of 268 species of owls from all over the world — 19 more species than the original book. Many of the photos are of highly elusive species that are very rarely caught on camera. For birders, naturalists, photographers, researchers and any fan of these birds, Owls of the World is the definitive work on species identification as well as a comprehensive encyclopedia for reference and reading.

Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night by Mark Wilson – Wildlife photojournalist and nature educator Mark Wilson presents a one-of-a-kind look into the mysterious lives of these distinctive birds. Dramatic images of the 19 owl species of North America nesting, flying, hunting, and catching prey are accompanied by information about the birds’ silent flight, remarkable eyes and ears, haunting calls, and fascinating night life. Kids will learn how to spot owls; identify their calls, plumage, and pellets; and even carry on a hooting conversation with a nearby owl.

 

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I hope you enjoy this list of children’s picture books all about owls! And, if you’re looking for a fun kid’s craft for your owl unit study, check out this kid’s owl craft idea!