Speaking Volumes

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AUGUST 14, 2008

Owls In The Woods and Owls in the Stacks

Summer evenings and open windows greatly enhance night sounds. Screeching cats, barking dogs, tree peepers, crickets; early morning crows cawing at an intruding hawk; all are magnified as I try to sleep. None, though, is as mournful as the sound of the owls in our woods. Last evening I was awakened by a pair of owls, Great Horned (?) calling to each other. Even though they interrupted my sleep I didn't mind. There was a beauty and peacefulness in this and brings to mind the many wonderful books we have in the library that feature owls. A few are listed below. See the call number after the title.

An all-time favorite of mine...

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell E Waddell
Three baby owls awake one night and find mother gone. Where can she be? Beautifully illustrated and a perfect story of a mother's love for her babies

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen E Yolen

Little Hoot by Amy Krause Rosenthal E Rosenthal

The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear E Lear

White Owl Barn Owl by Nicola Davies E Davies

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen JF Hiaasen

The barn owl by Bert Kitchen J 598.97 KITCHEN

A Guide to Night Sounds by Lang Elliot 591.954 ELLIOTT PBK

and don't forget the magnificent owls in The Harry Potter books...

Hedwig ~ Snowy Owl
Errol ~ Gray owl
Pigwidgeon ~ Little Owl
Malfoy's Owl ~ Eagle Owl
Percy's Screech Owl ~ Screech Owl

Add a comment (3 comments)

posted by ckubala

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Comments

Megan Q. said, on Aug. 15 at 8:37AM
I love this post Carol! Owls have a special place in my heart and in my family. My grandmother, who we called ‘Chari’ short for Charlotte, loved owls. She had little owl figurines all throughout her house, and when my sister and I visited we would go around and look at the new ones and pick out our favorites. I remember making owl pictures and paintings for Chari, and making her an owl magnet when I was young. Not only did Chari like owls, but she had the reputation in my family of being ‘the wise old owl.’ Chari was smart, she gave good advice, and would always “tell it like it is.” She watched over our family. Chari passed away when I was a freshman in high school. To this day seeing owls reminds me of her, and her wisdom. On a side note, we have a new children’s book that Carol did not include in her list. It’s called ‘I’m not Cute' by Jonathan Allen, and it is one of my new favorites! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KLC said, on Sep. 5 at 5:13AM
I love owls. My mother was an owl lover and though my twelve year old son never met my mom, he is very much into owls too. His favorite series of books is "The Guardians of Ga'Hoole" Every time a new one comes out, we rush to get it. It's the only series he wants to own and see on his shelf. I find it wonderful he enjoys reading as much as I do.

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Megan Q. said, on Sep. 5 at 12:04PM
Thanks for your post! I'll have to check out "The Guardians of Ga'Hoole," it sounds like a great series!