The Best Children’s Books About Owls: Age-Appropriate Recommendations

Written by Niccoy Walker
Updated: April 11, 2023
© suchitra poungkoson/Shutterstock.com

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Best forProduct
Best OverallOwl Moon
Best Nighttime ReadA Book of Sleep
Best for ToddlersOwl Babies
Best for PreschoolersLittle Hoot
Best for Grade SchoolersThree Pennies
Best for Middle SchoolersHoot
Best ClassicThe Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Best Owl PoetryOtto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
Most EducationalOwls

The wise old owl is the quintessential mascot for books, so reading a book about owls is a must for all young readers. From beautiful picture books to inspiring messages to classic novels, there are owl books for every reading level. I’ve handpicked selections for ages toddlers through middle schoolers and added picks for nighttime reads, educational content, poetry, and classic stories. These selections are perfect for after-school time, summer supplemental learning, homeschooling, and just quality time with family. Continue reading to discover the best children’s books about owls, including age-appropriate recommendations.

  1. Owl Moon
    • 32 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 8.
    • Winner of the Caldecott Medal for 1987.
    Check Amazon
  2. A Book of Sleep
    • 24 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for children ages 1 through 3.
    • A soothing read about how different animals sleep.
    Check Amazon
  3. Owl Babies
    • 32 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 4.
    • Available as a padded board book.
    Check Amazon
  4. Little Hoot
    • 28 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 5.
    • A fun story about an owl who wants to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
    Check Amazon
  5. Three Pennies
    • 208 pages.
    • Recommended for readers ages 8 through 12.
    • It is a moving story that deals with tough subjects in a poetic manner.
    Check Amazon
  6. Hoot
    • 320 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for readers ages 9 through 12.
    • A Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestseller.
    Check Amazon
  7. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
    • 58 pages.
    • Recommended for readers ages 3 through 7.
    • Written by Beatrix Potter, author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
    Check Amazon
  8. Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
    • 32 pages.
    • Recommended for readers ages 5 through 8.
    • A warm story about an owl who prefers poetry to roosting and hunting.
    Check Amazon
  9. Owls
    • 32 pages.
    • Customers recommend this book for readers ages 5 through 9.
    • Filled with illustrations, language appropriate for younger readers, and a page dedicated to trivia.
    Check Amazon

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Children’s Books About Owls

#1 Best Overall: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (Author) and John Schoenherr (Illustrator)

The best overall children’s book about owls is Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (Author) and John Schoenherr (Illustrator).

This book won the Caldecott Medal for its beautiful watercolor pictures featuring a tender and poetic story. The story is about a little girl who goes owling with her father late one winter night. As the two walk through the silent woods, the father calls to the owl, “Whoo-whoo-whoo,” but the owl does not answer. They continue on their magical journey in silence, keeping the hope that they will soon hear the night hoot of the great horned owl. 

As you read to your child, anticipation builds. Does the little girl get to hear the owl? The story takes place in New England, and the illustrations show the nighttime world in the country. Owl Moon teaches the importance of nature, hope, and family. It also depicts a loving father-daughter relationship. The book is excellent for ages three to seven, but even older children may enjoy the story and pictures.

However, some reviewers commented that although this is a sweet story is does not really have much of a storyline.

Pros and Cons of Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (Author) and John Schoenherr (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This is a tender story about a girl who goes owling with her father.Reviewers commented that it does not have much of a storyline.
It teaches the importance of natural, hope, and family.
It is aimed at children aged three to seven.
There are beautiful watercolor illustrations throughout the book,
Best Overall
Owl Moon
  • 32 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 8.
  • Winner of the Caldecott Medal for 1987.
Check Amazon

2. Best Nighttime Read: A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

If you’re trying to get little ones to sleep for the night then we recommend A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na.

This sleepy book embodies the cozy nighttime with gentle words and warm illustrations. It’s the kind of book that becomes an instant classic you will want to keep next to your children’s bed. It’s soothing and educational, teaching about how different animals sleep. Join the owl on his bedtime journey, where he discovers some animals sleep standing up and others huddled together. Na’s style is short, sweet, and not overly exciting, “Some sleep with one eye open. Some sleep with both eyes open.” It’s perfect for ages one to three as it’s easy for them to remember but won’t get them riled up before bed.

The only drawback to this book is that the illustrations, although beautiful, are drawn in an artistic style which does not offer a true-to-life representation. Unfortunately, this means that children find it difficult to recognize the different animals.

Pros and Cons of A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

ProsCons
This is an educational book which teaches how different animals sleep.The illustrations are drawn in an artistic style which does not offer a true-to-life representation and may be difficult for children to recognize.
It uses gentle words to soothe children at bedtime.
It is written in a short and sweet style.
Best Nighttime Read
A Book of Sleep
  • 24 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for children ages 1 through 3.
  • A soothing read about how different animals sleep.
Check Amazon

3. Best for Toddlers: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell (Author) and Patrick Benson (Illustrator)

Do you have a toddler who gets anxious when mom leaves the house? You can comfort them by reading Owl Babies by Martin Waddell (Author) and Patrick Benson (Illustrator).

This book is perfect for children aged between two and four and features a story that reassures toddlers that mommy will come home soon. Three baby owls awake at night to find their mother gone, and they wonder where she could be and what she is doing. The anxious siblings worry and fret, giving insight into how young children feel when a parent is away. Thankfully, their mother returns, and there is a joyous celebration at the book’s conclusion. The story is something little ones can relate to and help them not be worried when mom or dad leaves the house. It also features stunning illustrations which help bring the story to life.

Unfortunately, some customers reported that they received a damaged book as it had been bent while in the mail.

Pros and Cons of Owl Babies by Martin Waddell (Author) and Patrick Benson (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This is a sweet story which helps to prevent toddlers from being worried when their parents leave the house.Some customers received a damaged book.
It features stunning illustrations which help bring the story to life.
It is suitable for children aged between two and four.
Best for Toddlers
Owl Babies
  • 32 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 4.
  • Available as a padded board book.
Check Amazon

4. Best for Preschoolers: Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Author) and Jen Corace (Illustrator)

The best book about owls for preschoolers is Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Author) and Jen Corace (Illustrator).

This book is written by best-selling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jen Corace. Your little night owls will love the charming pictures and humorous reverse psychology in this book. 

Little Owl wants to go to bed at a reasonable time like the rest of his woodland friends, but his mom and dad say he has to stay up and play all night. Kids will appreciate the fun twist on the owl’s adventure as he’s “hooting mad” about having to stay awake and jump on his bed, play at the playground, and ride his skateboard. This story is perfect for preschoolers aged two to five who will get a kick out of this imaginative tale.

Unfortunately, customers have reported that the illustrations could do with being a little better as they don’t all look realistically like owls.

Pros and Cons of Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Author) and Jen Corace (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This is a charming story about an owl that wants to go to bed at the same time as his other woodland friends, instead of staying awake all night.The illustrations do not look realistically like owls.
It features charming illustrations throughout.
It is suitable for children aged two to five.
Best for Preschoolers
Little Hoot
  • 28 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 5.
  • A fun story about an owl who wants to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Check Amazon

5. Best for Grade Schoolers: Three Pennies by Melanie Crowder

The best option for grade schoolers is Three Pennies by Melanie Crowder which is a moving story that deals with tough subjects poetically.

This inspirational book was written and illustrated by Melanie Crowder and features topics about foster care, adoption, mother-daughter relationships, and family bonds.

A little girl named Marin bounces around from foster home to foster home before she finds a family who wants to adopt her. But Marin longs to reunite with her birth mother and be a family again. Crowder writes from the perspective of the little girl, the uneasy earth beneath her, and the wise owl who watches over her. Can Marin find room in her heart for the woman who wants to adopt her? Children aged eight to 12 will discover how the owl and caring people help Marin on her journey for love and acceptance. The book is available in Kindle, hardcover, and paperback formats.

Pros and Cons of Three Pennies by Melanie Crowder

ProsCons
This book deals with difficult subjects in a poetic manner.None
It features topics about foster care, adoption, mother-daughter relationships, and family bonds.
It is suitable for children aged eight to 12.
There are Kindle, paperback, and hardcover editions available.
Best for Grade Schoolers
Three Pennies
  • 208 pages.
  • Recommended for readers ages 8 through 12.
  • It is a moving story that deals with tough subjects in a poetic manner.
Check Amazon

6. Best for Middle Schoolers: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

For children in middle school we recommend Hoot by Carl Hiaasen which is a charming and imaginative tale that was an instant modern classic as soon as it was released.

Written by the best-selling author Carl Hiaasen, Hoot is a New York Times bestseller and the winner of a Newbery Honor award. 12-year-old Roy is new to Florida, and while navigating the perils of middle school, he deals with bullies, makes a couple of oddball friends, and tries to save a colony of burrowing owls on a construction site. The book is funny and offbeat while educating kids about endangered animals. 

It is perfect for children aged nine to 12, but it is also appropriate for teenagers. However, parents should be cautioned that some intense themes involve violence and negative role models. The book also features mild curse words, which some may find unsuitable for specific ages. 

Pros and Cons of Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

ProsCons
This book is a New York Times bestseller.It has themes which involve violence and negative role models.
It educates children about endangered animals.It features some mild curse words.
It is aimed at children aged nine to 12, but is also appropriate for teenagers.
Best for Middle Schoolers
Hoot
  • 320 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for readers ages 9 through 12.
  • A Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestseller.
Check Amazon

7. Best Classic: The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Published in 1903, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin is an original classic written by famous author Beatrix Potter and part of the Peter Rabbit book series.

In this story, Nutkin, his brother Twinkleberry, and their cousin’s journey to Owl Island to gather nuts, but the owl guardian doesn’t appreciate Nutkin’s sassy behavior. 

This book, along with 22 others in the series, is well-beloved, and families have cherished them for over 100 years. It’s the perfect read-aloud for children aged three to seven, featuring realistic watercolor pictures illustrated by Potter. Young children will appreciate the clever riddles and enjoy memorizing them. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin will instill a love of nature and literature in beginner readers.

Pros and Cons of The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

ProsCons
This story is an original classic written by Beatrix Potter.None
It is ideal for children aged three to seven.
It features realistic watercolor illustrations.
Best Classic
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
  • 58 pages.
  • Recommended for readers ages 3 through 7.
  • Written by Beatrix Potter, author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Check Amazon

8. Best Owl Poetry: Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry by Vern Kousky

Are you looking for an easy-to-read book that introduces your young children to poetry? Check out Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry by Vern Kousky.

This book follows Otto the owl. Otto loves to read, and he especially adores poetry. He appreciates great poets, such as T.S. Eliot, Keats, and Dickinson, and verse snippets are weaved throughout the story. He would rather recite poetry than hunt or roost, and the other forest animals pick on him for being different. Embark on a harrowing journey as Otto finds his inner poet and a community of like-minded people. This book teaches children aged five through eight to appreciate poetry and to stick with their passions.

Pros and Cons of Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry by Vern Kousky

ProsCons
This book follows Otto the owl as he finds his inner poet.None
It teaches children to appreciate poetry.
This book features snippet of well-known poetry throughout.
It is suitable for children aged five to eight.
Best Owl Poetry
Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
  • 32 pages.
  • Recommended for readers ages 5 through 8.
  • A warm story about an owl who prefers poetry to roosting and hunting.
Check Amazon

9. Most Educational: Owls by Gail Gibbons

If you’re looking for an educational book about owls for children then check out Owls by Gail Gibbons.

Owls are easily recognizable due to their distinct appearances, but does your little one know that there are more than 140 types of owls? Written and illustrated by award-winning author Gail Gibbons, this book teaches children about the similarities and differences between different owl species. What are their habitats? How do their nests look? And how do they hunt for food?

Five to nine year-olds will appreciate the interesting and informative writing. This book features boldly colored illustrations, simple writing with clearly defined words, and owl trivia.

Pros and Cons of Owls by Gail Gibbons

ProsCons
This book teaches children about the similarities and differences between different species of owls.None
It identifies more than 140 different species.
It discusses their habitat, how they hunt, and what their nests look like.
This book features boldly colored illustrations throughout.
Most Educational
Owls
  • 32 pages.
  • Customers recommend this book for readers ages 5 through 9.
  • Filled with illustrations, language appropriate for younger readers, and a page dedicated to trivia.
Check Amazon

Criteria: What to Look For in Books About Owls

Discover what to look for when deciding on children’s books about owls, including the message and reading level.

The Message

Some owl books are educational, teaching children about habitats and sleeping habits. In comparison, others offer inspirational stories of hope and courage. A few options on the list deal with tough subjects that can bring comfort to children or help them understand what others may be going through. And often, owls are associated with nighttime, so naturally, many of these options are perfect for making little ones sleepy.

Reading Level

It’s essential to choose an owl book suitable for your child’s age range and reading level. This list includes recommendations for children of all ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, grade schoolers, and middle schoolers. Some options are also suitable for infants and teenagers. But the age level is simply a suggestion. You, the parent or loved one, know more about what your child can handle. 

The Different Types of Books About Owls

Board books are excellent for younger children, who engage with rich illustrations and connect with the characters. Most of the selections in this list are picture books, but some are paperback or hardcover. Paperbacks, like Hoot, are less durable but are made for older children. While hard picture books, like Owl Babies, can withstand messes from sticky toddlers.

Best forProduct
Best OverallOwl Moon
Best Nighttime ReadA Book of Sleep
Best for ToddlersOwl Babies
Best for PreschoolersLittle Hoot
Best for Grade SchoolersThree Pennies
Best for Middle SchoolersHoot
Best ClassicThe Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Best Owl PoetryOtto the Owl Who Loved Poetry
Most EducationalOwls
About the Author

Niccoy is a professional writer for A-Z Animals, and her primary focus is on birds, travel, and interesting facts of all kinds. Niccoy has been writing and researching about travel, nature, wildlife, and business for several years and holds a business degree from Metropolitan State University in Denver. A resident of Florida, Niccoy enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time at the beach.

The Best Children’s Books About Owls: Age-Appropriate Recommendations FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What are the different types of children's books about owls?

There are many different types — including board books, picture books, encyclopedias, and fictional novels.

What is the most important thing to consider when choosing a book for a child?

Although there are several things to consider, the most important factor is the reading age of the child. If you choose a book below the reading level then it might be too simple for them and not keep their attention. However, if it is too difficult then they will likely struggle with the terminology.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.