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What’s inside...
When Mrs Tweezers tells Owen's parents he is too old to carry his yellow blanket everywhere, as he is starting school very soon, Owen outwits her time and time again. But it is Owen's mother who finds a satisfactory solution for everyone.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Owen felt when his blanket was almost taken away? Can you relate to his feelings?
Why do you think Owen's parents wanted to take the blanket away? What could they have done differently?
What are some ways Owen tried to keep his blanket? Which way was your favorite and why?
How do you think the story would change if Owen didn't have Fuzzy?
What does the blanket mean to Owen? Do you have something special like Owen's blanket?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening to understand your child’s thoughts on Owen’s attachment to his blanket. This can lead to a discussion about their own attachments and comfort objects.
Discuss the different emotions Owen experiences throughout the book to help your child recognize and name their feelings.
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them what other solutions they would suggest for Owen and his parents.
Highlight the importance of understanding and compromise shown by Owen’s parents, especially at the end of the story. Discuss how they reached a solution that made everyone happy.
Ask your child to draw or describe their own special object, similar to Owen’s blanket, and share what makes it special to them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Emotional Attachment
Explanation: In 'Owen,' the central character, a young mouse named Owen, has a deep attachment to his yellow blanket, Fuzzy. This attachment is depicted as a source of comfort and security, which is critical in his developmental stage.
Real-World Application: Children often form attachments to objects like blankets or toys, which serve as comfort tools during transitions or stressful periods. Recognizing and respecting these attachments can help support a child's emotional growth.
Example Lesson: Navigating Change
Explanation: The story highlights the challenges Owen faces with the prospect of letting go of his blanket as he starts school. The narrative delicately underscores the importance of adapting to change while maintaining a sense of security.
Real-World Application: Change is a constant part of life. Teaching children to adapt to new environments or routines, while holding onto their sources of comfort, can help ease transitions like starting school or moving homes.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving and Innovation
Explanation: Owen’s parents and their neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, try various strategies to separate Owen from his blanket, but ultimately, it is Owen’s mother who creatively solves the problem by turning the blanket into handkerchiefs that Owen can keep with him.
Real-World Application: This lesson emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box to solve problems in a manner that respects everyone’s feelings and needs. It teaches children that sometimes unconventional thinking can provide the best solutions.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite the pressures from Mrs. Tweezers and his parents’ attempts to take away his blanket, Owen’s determination to keep his source of comfort shows the value of persistence.
Real-World Application: Encouraging children to stand up for what they believe is right or what they deeply need can instill a sense of self-confidence and assurance in their own decisions.