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Owen
Owen
Owen
Audiobook6 minutes

Owen

Written by Kevin Henkes

Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

When Mrs. Tweezers convinces Owens parents that their son is becoming a little too attached to Fuzzy, his beloved yellow blanket, Owen vehemently disagrees. "Can't bring a blanket to school," says nosy Mrs. Tweezers. What will Owen's parents do?
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJan 1, 1996
ISBN9780545667265
Owen
Author

Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors, one for Olive’s Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include The World and Everything in It; A House; A Parade of Elephants; Chrysanthemum; and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Reviews for Owen

Rating: 4.182666611466667 out of 5 stars
4/5

375 ratings52 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I'm not the target market. That said, there are some picture books which would garner 5 stars from me, no question. From an adult perspective, this was a pleasant enough, brief story, with some charming drawings, but nothing so spectacular, so moving, so deft in execution, or so spellbinding in story, as to warrant a more enthusiastic response.

    I also found the conclusion a bit disturbing. The "solution" may have pleased the character, but had it happened in my house, as a child, I would have been distraught.

    (Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Owen is an adorable little mouse who does not want to give up his yellow blanket. Mrs. Tweezers, the neighbor, gives his parents many tricks to take it away but Owen doesn't fall for any of it. In the end, they reach a conclusion that makes everyone happy. This story is really cute coming of age tale. I enjoyed it and I think a lot of children will enjoy it as well. I would recommend for grades K-2.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This sweet story about Owen and his security blanket is a story about problem solving. His parents could have simply taken the blanket away and told him he was too old now that he was going to school but instead they decided to find a way to separate him from his childish attachment in a way that made everyone happy. The solution was creative and gave Owen the security he needed upon entering the new and scary world of school. This book could be used to illustrate problem solving and peace making. Students could write a story of their own that addresses a problem that can be solved in a way that makes everyone happy.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I think all kids can relate to having a special blanket. I don't know that Henkes' ending would really satisfy a child in real life, but the subject matter is enough to engage any child, and his cute mouse expressions are wonderful.Writing ideas: - Did/do you have a special blanket/toy/stuffed animal that you always kept/keep with you? Tell us about it! - Look through the illustrations. How many different feelings can you identify in Owen? What part of his face tells you how he is feeling? Try drawing several faces with different expressions.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Neither of my kids (nor I, for that matter) ever felt an especially strong bond to a blanket or stuffy, so really, I kind of don't get these stories. All I know about blankets I learned from Linus.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Somethings are hard to part with. Especially, when your a child. A blanket that symbolizes security and comfort is the one thing Owen won't let his parents take from him. In this heartwarming story Owen's blanket, with some alterations, will be more presentable to drag around.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Owen by Kevin Henkes is a children's book is a fantasy book because of mouse characters in the story that have human-like personalities. This story is about Owen, a young boy, who is just about to start school and his favorite blanket, Fuzzy. His parents are trying to separate Owen and Fuzzy because Owen will be going to school soon. Their neighbor Mrs. Tweezers has lots of advice on how to git rid of the blanket but it never works. In the end Owen's mother has a clever idea what to do with the blanket.This would be a good book to read to children who are just starting school. They may have a favorite blanket or toy at home and going to school may be the first time that they are separated from them. This would be a good mentor text to read along with Kevin Henkes other mouse books.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Owen is a cute story about a little mouse who is attached to his blanket. As the first day of school rolls around, his parents are trying everything to get him to give up his blanket and nothing works. The neighbor lady keeps giving them ideas until finally, Owen's mom decides to make the blanket a handkerchief that Owen can take to school, and the neighbor lady has one too. This would be a great book to have students write an alternate ending for. They could firs t discuss whether or not they agreed with the ending and then they could write their own. It would be a great creative writing assignment.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A really good, cute story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I really enjoyed reading Owen. This story was about a mouse named Owen who did not want to get rid of his blanket. His parents tried thinking of difference ways to get rid of the blanket, but Owen would always get around their ideas. In the end, Owen's mother cut up his blanket, and Owen used the pieces as handkerchifs. This illustrations in this book were wonderful. You can tell the emotions in each soon, and they were illustrated well.The colors used were brilliant.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Owen is a book about a mouse who does not want to give up his security blanket. I thought it was a good book and can help kids like Owen. I enjoyed the pictures and the story line. The parents were able to turn his blanket into several handkerchiefs to help Owen out.I can be a great way to start out the school year if you have any students who are attached to a particular item. Reading this book an ensuring them that they will still be okay at the end of the day.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Owen's yellow baby blanket, nicknamed Fuzzy, had been with him all his life - a constant companion through thick and thin. When well-meaning but nosy Mrs. Tweezers suggests to his parents that he is getting too old for such things, a hilarious contest of wills begins. The blanket-fairy, dipping in vinegar, and just "saying no" all fail to separate Owen from his blanket, until finally his mother has an ingenious idea that will keep everyone happy...Kevin Henkes' picture-book mice are always adorable, whether they're experiencing a name-related crisis like the eponymous Chrysanthemum, or facing the ambiguous feelings that accompany a new sibling, like Lily in Julius, the Baby of the World. In Owen, Henkes turns his attention to the question of that beloved childhood artefact known as the "security blanket," producing a charming tale that is sure to both comfort and entertain. The watercolor illustrations, which garnered Henkes a Caldecott Honor, are colorful and expressive.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The story is about having to try something new-even when you don't want to . Plot- Owen has to give up his favorite blanket.Characters- A nosy know-it-all neighbor, loving parents, and a worried boy/mouse. They are really funny.Setting- Owen's house: yard, bedroom, bathroom
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Owen is part of Kevin Henke's mice series. Kevin Henkes is known for this series of books and has written about 9 different mice. Owen is a young mouse and he brings his blanket everywhere. His parent's can't figure out a a way for Owen to give up his blanket. They try the blanket fairy, vinegar, and just saying no. Nothing works, so Owen's mother decides to cut up his blanket into several pieces so Owen will always have a piece of fuzzy with him. This story shows that sometimes you need to move on from your childhood behaviors and start new ones. Owen loved his blanket but he was able to see it transform into something more appropriate. As an activity, each child could write about their favorite childhood habit and why they no longer do it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ever heard of the blanket fairy? Until reading this, I never had.

    The mouse family in this book is very cute! I loved the expressions they have. Young Owen is very attached to his blanket. His parents try all sorts of methods to get him to part with it.

    Parents can relate to having to separate the baby items (first stuffy, blanket, pacifier, etc) from their child and kids can read this for alternatives and that every kid goes through adjustments in their life.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Their was a little mouse named Owen who loved his yellow blanket so much. He did everything with his blanket. Owen would eat, sleep, and play with his blanket. One day his nosy neighbor Mrs.Tweezer commented to Owens parents on how Owen still had his blanket. Owens parents began to worry and began trying to take away Owens blanket but, it didn't work. Mrs. Tweezer told his parents that Owen couldn't be a baby forever and to take away his blanket. The parent's tried but Owen couldn't live without his blanket. Then Owen's mom had and idea, she would make his blanket into handkerchiefs so he could still have his blanket . Owen was happy again and used his handkerchiefs for everything and took them everywhere. Mrs. Tweezer was also pleased.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a story about a little mouse named, Owen that loves his blanket. He brings it everywhere with him even to school so his mom decides to make it into a handkerchief. I think it will teach children that its okay to let go of something that you love and had for so long.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Owen carries a blanket with him wherever he goes, and his parents are trying to break him of the habit.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a fantasy picture book about a little mouse, Owen, who does everything with his blanket. His parents want him to stop taking his blanket around with him everywhere before he enters school. They try taking different advice from their neighbor, but none of it seems to work. In the end the parents problem solve and turn the blanket into handkerchiefs that Owen can take with him wherever he goes.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This amazing picture book follows Owen, a young mouse who absolutely loves his yellow blanket "Fuzzy". Owen and Fuzzy do everything together, but he's getting a little to old for him. His parents concoct many different ways to separate Owen and Fuzzy, but none seem to work, their bond is just to strong. That is until Owen mothers come up with a solution! She cuts and sews the blanket all up into tiny handkerchiefs so now Owen can take a piece of Fuzzy wherever he goes and be a big boy.Teaching Ideas: innovation, security blankets
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I can't count the number of times I read this to my son who shares a name with the title character. A sweet book with a creative twist.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Owen the mouse is very, very, very attached to his blanket. With school starting soon, the over-nosy neighbor and his parents are worried about him trying to take the blanket everywhere, even to school! The illustrations in this book are fantastic and detailed, bringing so much more emotion and meaning to the story. I can picture children absolutely loving this story, and relating well to all the characters (as would their parents!).
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Kevin Henke's Owen won the Caldecott Honor in 1994. For the illustrations in this picture book watercolor paints and a black pen were used. The colors in the pictures are colorful and expressive. The story is about a little mouse who is attached to his fuzzy yellow blanket. The color of the blanket may be so bright because it is the main object in the story. The illustrations really make this book come alive and make it enjoyable to read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Owen loves his yellow blanket it goes everywhere with him. But owens going to school soon and he can not bring it with him. His parents with the help of Ms. Tweezers do everything to get owen to give it up. Finally his parents come up with a plan to make it into a hankerchief. This shows children that you have to grow up at some point. Although you can change the situation in order to make it still work.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Owen doesn't want to get rid of Fuzzy, but his nosey naighborhood thinks it's innapproriate for him to carry his dirty blanket fuzzy with him everywhere so she informs his parents. Eventually after much trial & error and a lot of conflict caused by the neighbor giving Owen's parents ideas, Owen's mom turns fuzzy to a handkerchief and all is well. Owen then carries his handkerchief wherever he goes, even to school!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very cute picture book about a mouse that has a security blanket and even though he is getting ready to start school nothing and no one could seperate him and his best friend. His Father and Mother had began to give up on trying to tale Owen to seperate himself from his blanket until one day a neighbor, Mrs. Tweezer gives them some advice. She suggested the blanket fairy; that did not work. She suggested the vinegar trick......no, that did not work either. Everytime his parents tried something new to get Owen to give up the blanket Owen had a way of getting around it. Then, oneday, mom came up with an idea that was bound to work.......and it did. Much to his parents surprise (and Mrs. Tweezer) this was a solution that satisfied everyone.Personal Reaction: I enjoyed reading this book and seeing the diifferent things that the neigbor suggested and the parents tried to get Owen to began to seperate himself from the blanket. It is a good book for those families that are experiences seperation anxiety from a favority toy or blanket. I never would have thought of the idea that mom decided. That goes to show......."when at first you don't succeed, try try again" Extentions: 1) For students that are experiencing seperation anxiety, I would read it to the class and have a discussion on things that they are attach to or those things that are very "special" to them. In having this discussion, I will let the class know that some time or another we all have benn attached to something or someone.........and it is okay.2) We will have a lesson dealing with feeling safe and secure........seperating from the families.3) We will have Show-n-Tell and the students will be given the opportunity to bring their favorite or special toy (item) from home to share with the class.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This story is about a mouse, Owen, who needs to get rid of his blanket. The illustrations in this story show the true emotion behind the text. Also, the facial expressions present adequate feelings.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Owen is a young mouse who loves his blanket, he takes it everywhere. His parents and the nosy neighbor think Owen is too old to carry around this blanket. They try several different ways to get Owen to give up the blanket. After several failed attemps Owen's mother decides to make his blanket into several handkerchiefs, so he will be able to carry around a piece of his blanket everwhere he goes. This book is great to show children about problem solving and how to let things go that they love so much.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book is about a boy attached to his blanket,Fuzzy. Thanks to his nosy neighbor, his parents try everything to get him to let go of his blanket. Finally his mom has a creative idea. The boy lets go of his blanket and becomes a big boy. This is a good book for children who are attached to something.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    SummaryOwen is a young boy that is getting ready to go back to school, and his parents cannot get him to give up his blankie. He takes it with him everywhere and does everything with it. His parents try everything that the nosey neighbor Mrs. Tweezers says should work, but Owen wont budge. Then finally Owens Mother comes up with a great idea! She makes Owens blankie into lots of handkerchiefs, so Owen can carry one wherever he goes.Personal ReactionI loved the book i can completely relate to it because my daughter is 1 1/2 and she has a few things that she takes everywhere she goes and if she doesnt have one of them it seems to hurt her feelings. Classroom Extension 1. I think this book would be a great book to use for kids who are in the stages that Owen is in. Maybe in a kindergarten or first grade class when coming to school might be hard and new. 2. Another is you could use it as a back to school story.