Owl in the House (Blue Bananas)
Blue bananas Series
on Goodreads (7)
What’s inside...
One stormy night Owl gets blown down a chimney pot into a dark silent house. How can he get out again? He asks the gerbil, the dog and the little girl upstairs. At last it is the cat that helps him. A new exciting line of stories for beginner readers with clear type and bright color pictures on every page. Fresh and imaginative stories with speech bubbles create a unique and fun reading experience.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the owl decided to visit the house?
How did the characters in the book react to the owl's visit?
What do you think the owl learned from its adventure?
Can you imagine what it would be like if an owl visited our home? What would you do?
What does the story teach us about understanding and helping others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathy prompts when discussing the characters’ reactions, asking your child how they would feel in a similar situation.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, whether it's about a new visitor, a surprise guest, or encountering wildlife.
Highlight the story’s themes of curiosity and helping others, connecting these ideas to real-life situations your child might encounter or has encountered.
Ask your child to draw a picture of an owl in their own imagined story, and then describe what happens, practicing narrative skills.
Discuss the importance of understanding different perspectives, using the owl’s unexpected visit as a jumping-off point.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Owl in the House,' children see characters learning to understand and share the feelings of others, including the owl.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to better relate to their peers' feelings and perspectives, promoting a more compassionate interaction.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The story shows characters working together to solve the problem of how to help the owl, encouraging teamwork and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these skills at school or in play, figuring out solutions through cooperation and creativity.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the book learn to take responsibility for the welfare of the owl, demonstrating care and accountability.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of caring for others and taking responsibility for pets and their environment.
Example Lesson: Adapting to new situations
Explanation: The owl finds itself in a new, unexpected environment, and both the owl and the children learn to adapt.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be flexible and resilient when faced with new or unfamiliar situations, such as moving to a new school or meeting new friends.
Example Lesson: The value of kindness
Explanation: Throughout the book, kindness is a recurring theme, as the characters show compassion towards the lost owl.
Real-World Application: Children learn that their acts of kindness can have a positive impact on their surroundings, encouraging them to be kind to both animals and people.