Owl Bat Bat Owl

This is a simply gorgeous picture book to use in helping young children learn about difference - and that it doesn't matter - without a single word being spoken, tweeted or squeaked... When a family of young owls settles on a branch ready to sleep, they are woken by the arrival of a young family of bats. Mother owl marches her brood to one end of the branch, while the bats scuttle over to the opposite end. All seems quiet, but for the littlest owl and bat who want to make friends. Both are told off and return to their respective end of the bough. Their rest is, however, interrupted again, this time by a violent storm that sweeps all the small creatures off the branch. This is where parental instincts kick in and the adult owl and bat return all the little ones to the branch - the moment when 'difference' is rejected is when owl is seen returning a little bat to safety, and bat rescues the smallest owl. Of course it is the youngest ones who then discover a new game that they can all play together. As well as a lesson in visual literacy - and children will enjoy the wonderfully expressive families - this has a strong message at its heart about accepting friendship in whatever guise it comes, and rejecting the idea of difference. It also, subtly, introduces the idea that what the adults in our lives think and do isn't always for the best. I would put this in every Reception and Year 1 class library! Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Ellen Brown.

Suggested Reading Age 3+