Owen: A Story About Letting Go of a Comfort Object (Caldecott Honor Book)

Sharing the name of our middle grandson was the primary reason I looked into this book, for whom it was being purchased, though its status as a Caldecott Honor book coupled with its inclusion on Amazon's book editors "100 Children's Books to Read in a Lifetime" didn't hurt! In this cute story, Owen the mouse - since infancy - has had a fuzzy yellow blanket as his constant companion... perhaps not AS fuzzy as it once was, considering it's gone through the rigours of typical childhood play - both indoors and outdoors - along with being a mealtime companion. Despite being stained, torn and ratty, Owen believes "Fuzzy is perfect." However, nosy neighbor mouse Mrs. Tweezers decides Owen - who'll be starting school soon - is too old to be carrying it around, and suggests a few "remedies" to his parents (the Blanket Fairy, who operates in much the same way as the Tooth Fairy, and the "vinegar trick" - which is exactly what you'd imagine it to be! - but little Owen has his own remedies for those tactics. When Mrs. Tweezers finally suggests to his parents that they simply say "no" to its continuing place in Owen's life, he's inconsolable. Oh, go blow your nose, Mrs.Tweezers! Owen's mother - as loving and sympathetic mothers will do - comes up with an ingenious way to compromise, snipping and sewing that treasured big piece of cloth into a much smaller handkerchief-sized piece, which Owen can continue to carry around and use in multi-purpose ways as always, until he naturally outgrows it - a compromise which even hushes up nosy Mrs. Tweezers! Upon reading it, a couple of things hit me - first, it would've been a more obvious fit for our oldest grandson (who DID have a "blankie" that was hard to phase out), while our middle grandson has never had a typical "lovie" he's clung to, but also WHOOSH - did it bring back memories for me of an absolutely beloved doll from my childhood, which I found one day (while roller skating in our garage) in a trash can! My dear mother recalls to this day how horrified I was, and no manner of cajoling ("We'll get you a new doll!") or explanation ("She's falling apart... one of her eyes doesn't close any longer, all of her eyelashes have been plucked out, half of her hair is gone!") would console me. And while sometimes it IS best to just "rip off the band-aid", my wise mother decided that - for whatever reasons - I was just not yet ready to lose that piece of my childhood. (And guess what... the arrival of new presents under the tree and my expanding interests allowed for an eventual, much more natural and peaceful parting of the ways!) Here's what I know for sure - from being a youngster once myself, through raising two sons, and now being blessed with four grandchildren - peer pressure to conform is there not only for kids, but for parents as well, and there will always be "Mrs. Tweezers"-types around, dispensing advice (no matter how well-intentioned) as to what "should" or "should not" be happening when it comes to your youngsters. Ignore them - it's not ALWAYS the best strategy to rip the band-aid off... and there are less stressful compromises in so many instances that ingenious parents - like you! - can come up with while accompanying your child on the journey from childhood to adolescence. I really enjoyed this book - and I know our grandson will be thrilled to see his name in print! (Imprinted price on the back of the book is $17.99 US... think it's a bit stiff, but found a much better price on Amazon.)

The book was definitely a keeper

We have had a copy of this Caldecott Award-winning children's book for many years. It has been one of our children's favorites and now, guess what, we have an Owen due in our daughter's family in only a matter of months. So what more fitting gift could we send than a copy of this fine book and his very own yellow baby blanket - well, at least material for one :-) If you are not familiar with Owen, he's a little tyke who's growing up yet he does not want to let go of his security blanket. Everyone tries to help him leave it behind and grow up...what happens? You'll have to read it for yourself to find out. An adorable story and illustrations by Kevin Henkes. If you like Owen you will also like other stories written and illustrated by this author. 5 stars!

We have read this book A TON. My almost two year old son loves it!!

One of my all time favorites!

A very good book to read with your children and to get them passionate about the adventures we discover while reading.

It is a joy reading Kevin Henkes' books to my grandkids. They love the stories and the illustrations, and I find the stories appealing as well. I recommend all of his books.

Every kid needs this book. I read this book, along with a few other select faves, to my kids when they were little and then as they grew they read it to me. Almost 20 years later (I still have our original book) I see it and know I have to buy it for my new great-nieces and great-nephews (and their moms) so they can experience the same joys. Don't forget to get "Mrs. Toggle's Zipper" by Robin Pulver, "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch, "No Matter What" by Debi Gliori and "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown. These are the books my (adult-size) kids remember the best :) When the time comes (many years from now ;) ) I will buy these books again for my grandkids!

Bought for my Grandson called Owen. It is a good story and unusual in a good way. Educational in the aim to explain we can think about different ways to resolve a dilemma. Lovely artwork too. We loved it.

I got this for my grandson whose name is Owen! He’s a bit young for the book but will keep it for him until he’s a bit older!

タオル大好きでいつも持ち歩いているネズミの男の子のお話です。うちの子も全く同じなので、子どもがかなり共感して気にって読んでいます。お話の最後にはタオル依存で困っている親御さんの解決になる方法が載っていて、子どもも親もhappy！描写が可愛らしく、ほっこりします。

Excelente libro y calidad de impresión

My toddler and I have been big fans of Kevin Henkes ever since we discovered the Penny series. Owen was just a natural progression to another of his books. What a great find! Incidentally my daughter also has a fuzzy yellow blanket and every time we read Owen, she takes it out and pretends she is part of the book as well. A beautifully written story and illustrated with great detail to expressions and real-life emotions. Just perfect!