Owl Moon

Written by Jane Yolen

A silent winter night, a father and daughter seek the elusive owl.

5.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 44,975 ratings

32 pages· 733 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud· 550L

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

On a silent winter night, a young girl and her father venture into the woods, hoping to glimpse an elusive owl. As they walk, the world around them is still, and their bond deepens in the quiet. With each step, they embrace the mystery of nature and the power of hope. Will the owl answer their call, or will the night remain silent? This gentle tale captures the magic of a shared adventure and the beauty of the natural world, inviting readers to explore the wonders that await in the quiet moments.

"Pa made a long shadow, but mine was short and round. I had to run after him every now and then to keep up, and my short, round shadow bumped after me."

— from the book

From the publisher

Celebrating 30 years of the beloved classic Owl Moon from renowned children’s book author Jane Yolen and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator John Schoenherr!

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.

Awards

Caldecott Medal (1988)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 32
Words: 733
Reading age: 3–7
Audience: Picture
Lexile: 550L

Themes & topics

Books about owls Books about nature Books about science and nature Books about family Books about winter

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.0

out of 7

4.5

“This book has beautiful illustrations and a sweet story about a child who goes "owling" with their dad. I know this book is generally loved, and while I like it, it's just not a personal favorite or one I'd want to read over and over again.”

B is for Bookworm

Trusted reviewer

The author