Tanna's Owl

By Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, Yong Ling Kang (Illustrator)

A reluctant girl learns life lessons caring for an abandoned owl.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 111 ratings

32 pages

$16.95Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Tanna's life changes when her father brings home an abandoned owl. Reluctantly, she must rise at dawn to feed and care for the demanding bird, dodging its sharp beak and talons. As the owl transforms from a scruffy chick to a majestic snowy owl, Tanna faces the bittersweet task of saying goodbye. This touching tale explores the challenges and rewards of caring for something that cannot return your love, teaching young readers about responsibility and compassion.

From the publisher

When Tanna’s father brings home an abandoned owl, she is not eager to take care of the needy, ugly little bird. Tanna must wake at 4:00 a.m. to catch food for the owl. She must feed it, clean up after it, all while avoiding its sharp, chomping beak and big, stomping talons. After weeks of following her father’s instructions on how to care for the owl, Tanna must leave home for school. Her owl has grown. It has lost its grey baby feathers and is beginning to sprout a beautiful adult snowy owl coat. As she says good-bye to the owl, she is relieved not to have to care for it anymore, but also a bit sad. This heartwarming story based on the author’s own life experience teaches young readers the value of hard work, helping, and caring–even when the thing you are caring for does not love you back.

At a glance