Owl at School

Meg and Mog

by Helen Nicoll, Jan Pieńkowski (Artist), Caroline Austin (Contributor)

Meg sends Owl to school for the first time and afterwards he asks all his new friends to tea.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1984

About the author

Helen Nicoll was born in Natland, Westmorland, in 1937. She was educated at schools in Bristol; Dartington Hall, Devon; and Froebel Education Institute, London. Helen Nicoll married Robert Kime in 1970 and they have one daughter and one son.

Helen Nicoll was a television producer with the BBC for many years. It was here, as Producer of the children's educational series WATCH, that she first met Jan Pienkowski. After working together for four years, they decided it was time to preserve their creativity in book form for future generations of children to enjoy. The result is the immensely popular MEG AND MOG series.

In addition to the MEG AND MOG series, Helen has a long and varied association with Puffin - as editor of the Junior Puffin magazine THE EGG from 1977 - 1979, as compiler of the popular children's poetry anthology POEMS FOR SEVEN YEAR OLDS AND UNDER, illustrated by Michael Foreman, and through her partnership with Puffin, the enormously popular series of Puffin Cover to Cover story tapes of which Helen is the Producer.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Owl crashes into a tree one time too many, Meg decides he must be sent to flight school, dispatching him to Mr. Winko and Ms. Bats' academy. There he makes some new friends - Tawny, Barny, Titch, Big ears - and learns some new skills. When School Sports night arrives, he performs with distinction, and the whole party returns to Meg's house for tea.

This twelfth entry in the Meg and Mog series focuses on Owl, who, although not referred to in the series name, is an integral part of the ongoing story. It features the same simple text and brightly colored illustrations that made the previous entries in the series so appealing, and is sure to please young readers who enjoy witchy fare, or who are Meg and Mog (AND Owl!) fans.

Addendum: having just tracked down a copy of Meg Comes to School , which was published in 2011, and which I had believed to be the twentieth entry in the Meg and Mog series, I can report that it is in fact a reprint of Owl at School, with a new name. I'm glad to see this story remains available, even if under a different title.

[DiscoSpacePanther · Rating 5 out of 5]

My toddler simply adores this book. When we read it together there is always a loud “CRUNCH” to go with owl’s collision, followed by “Come on, you’ll love it” in a surprisingly confident young voice as we turn the page to look at the pictures.

I am particularly partial to Meg’s hat in this one: pointy, pink and peacock-feathered. Witches’ hats should all be so stylish.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this one 1000! It was great ! - comments of miss 5 yo

Meg and mogs series are fun quick stories that are entertaining for younger children . With rhymes and simple stories to follow, bright colorful illustrations as well as plenty of ways parents can interact with the story they are a great addition to a child’s book shelf

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I shall be going down a Meg & Mog rabbit hole after Tania found a stash of them in a charity shop and was appalled when I told her that I had never read them!

In this installment Owl crashes into a tree and Meg decides it's time for him to go to school where he can learn to swoop, night fly, swim and pounce. How will Owl perform at the school sports day and will people like Meg's new hat. All will be revealed!

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Meg and Mog stories are cute and funny and great for early readers. I remember practicing my reading with Meg and Mog when I was little, whilst waiting to visit our family doctor, Dr. Cornwall. Even though I was always so sick, I loved going to the doctor, because I always loved reading a new Meg and Mog story.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved all the different owls and the owl foods.