“But isn’t it boring being awake when all our friends are asleep?” he wondered. “Why do owls have to be different?”

Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is enchanting, uplifting and magical. How about seeing that first Christmas night through the eyes of an owl? Let’s see . . .

Introducing Our Featured Friend: Merry Christmas, Little Owl!
by Hilary Hawkes, Illustrated by Richard Hawkes, Strawberry Jam Books

Christmas Eve in Little Chestnuts Wood had finally come. Little Owl wondered why he didn’t get to go to sleep like most of his other friends. He figured it would be boring to be awake all night . . . UNTIL Ollie Owl told him about the miracle of that first Christmas Eve night that his owl ancestors would have seen:

“Long ago,” Ollie went on, “while their friends slept,
owls would have seen the very time
the Christmas star appeared in the sky . . . owls
would have seen the shepherds set off for Bethlehem
and find Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus.” . . .
“Wow! said Little Owl.

Ollie continued to tell Little Owl all the night- sights of that very first Christmas. Then he told him about Father Christmas, the one who brings gifts to the children. Little Owl looked up after hearing a jingling sound and saw the Reindeer pulling a special sleigh. Now he knew that being a night-owl was NOT boring.  What magical sights still filled the sky! He did have a new question though, “Do owls get presents at Christmas too?”

Inviting You to Become FRIENDS with Little Owl and Ollie
Feel, Relate, Imagine, Explore, Navigate, Develop, Share

Discuss the questions and select an activity to do with your children or class:

F- How do you feel when you have to do something different than your friends?

R- Can you relate to Little Owl when he realized that being different was actually really cool? What’s one thing you do differently from your friends? How could that be a good thing?

I- Imagine that you got to be there the first Christmas. What do you think would be most amazing to see: the star, the angels, the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus?

E- Explore what other animals are nocturnal. Draw a picture of all the animals that could have seen the first Christmas night. Include your favorite parts of the Christmas story!

N- Navigate your way through the maze in the back of this book: “Can you find your way through the maze to the Christmas Star?”

D- Develop a list of gifts for Little Owl by researching what owl’s eat, where they travel, sleep, etc. Develop a picture of a lift-the-flap gift box with the item under the flap to say your own “Merry Christmas, Little Owl!”

S- Share owl crafts with your friends by making owl key rings, owl ornament or even edible owl cupcakes: http://www.redtedart.com/2014/07/21/owl-crafts/

 *Strawberry Jam Books produce stories and resources for children from preschool to 12 that promote acceptance of differences or disabilities and understanding of ourselves and others. 

The Little Chestnuts Woods series are stories about 26 characters from the woods. From Annie Ant to Zen the Wren, the stories are about friendship, caring, helping others and getting along with others.

http://www.hilaryhawkes.co.uk/strawberryjambooks

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Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree: http://wp.me/p4m4Tu-wA

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