The Barn Owls
Unknown
By: Tony Johnston
For at least 100 years, generations of barn owls have slept, hunted, called, raised their young, and glided silently above the wheat fields around an old barn.
AI Overview
Comprehensive Overview of "The Barn Owls" by Tony Johnston
Key Themes
- Nature and Cycles: The book explores the natural world and the cycles of life, particularly focusing on the barn owls and their habitat in a redwood barn surrounded by wheat fields.
- Poetry and Repetition: The narrative is written in poetic language, using repetition to evoke the timeless and cyclical nature of the barn owls' lives.
- Predatory Instincts: The book does not shy away from depicting the owls' predatory instincts, showing them hunting and caring for their young in a matter-of-fact manner.
- Family and Generations: The story highlights the continuity of generations of barn owls living in the same barn, emphasizing the passing of time and tradition.
Plot Summary
"The Barn Owls" by Tony Johnston is a picture book that tells the story of a family of barn owls living in a century-old redwood barn in a wheat field. The narrative follows the daily and nightly activities of the owls, from their hatching to their hunting and nesting. The book describes the owls' lives in poetic terms, using repetition to convey the cyclical nature of their existence. For example, "one by one stars come out and blink. One by one owls wake up and blink." The story is accompanied by beautiful watercolor and pencil illustrations by Deborah Kogan Ray, which contrast the golden tones of the wheat-filled barn with the cool blues of night.
Critical Reception
Publishers Weekly: The book is described as a "quietly eloquent nature book" with "hushed tones" that evoke the soundless, timeless realm of the night owl. The review praises the poetic phrases and the illustrations, noting that the book is a natural introduction to Jane Yolen's "Owl Moon".
Booklist: The review highlights the soft, striking double-page spreads that focus on a family of barn owls. It praises the impressionistic paintings and the simple, poetic text, which stress the ebb and flow of life in and around the barn. The book is described as a "tribute to the common barn owl" that keeps the focus on the bird's daily life without being gory.
School Library Journal: The review emphasizes that Johnston has created a tribute to the barn owl, using poetic phrases that follow a ghostly barn owl through days and nights. The illustrations are noted for their golden wheat tones and the depiction of the owls' predatory instincts in a matter-of-fact manner. The book is recommended for its ability to make children want to learn more about these mysterious creatures.
Goodreads: The book has received positive reviews for its poetic language and beautiful illustrations. Reviewers have praised the book for its gentle narrative, which is perfect for bedtime stories. The book is highly recommended for young readers from preschool through third grade, ages two through eight.
Educational Value
The book has been recognized for its educational value, particularly in teaching children about nature and the life cycle of barn owls. A companion resource, "Birds Exploring the Natural World Interactive Read Aloud Activities," provides 41 print-and-go reading activities designed to help students apply higher-level thinking skills and engage with the story on a deeper level.
Overall, "The Barn Owls" by Tony Johnston is a beautifully illustrated and poetically written book that introduces young readers to the fascinating world of barn owls, making it an excellent choice for both educational and bedtime reading.