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The Owl Who Came for Christmas
A heart-warming Christmas tale about a little owl – inspired by an amazing true animal story.
One cold winter's night, Rosie the screech owl is snuggling down to sleep in the hollow of a pine tree. But when she wakes up, the tree is on the back of a lorry! And so begins her incredible journey, all the way from the forest and into the home of an unsuspecting and very surprised family . . .
Inspired by the true story of a little owl discovered in a family's Christmas tree, The Owl Who Came for Christmas is the perfect gift for young animal lovers, families who want to share a Christmas story, and everyone who enjoys true animal stories. Written by John Hay with warm festive illustrations from bestselling illustrator Garry Parsons, the artist behind The Dinosaur That Pooped . . . series.
Includes a non-fiction spread with information about the real animal and the true events behind the story.
One cold winter's night, Rosie the screech owl is snuggling down to sleep in the hollow of a pine tree. But when she wakes up, the tree is on the back of a lorry! And so begins her incredible journey, all the way from the forest and into the home of an unsuspecting and very surprised family . . .
Inspired by the true story of a little owl discovered in a family's Christmas tree, The Owl Who Came for Christmas is the perfect gift for young animal lovers, families who want to share a Christmas story, and everyone who enjoys true animal stories. Written by John Hay with warm festive illustrations from bestselling illustrator Garry Parsons, the artist behind The Dinosaur That Pooped . . . series.
Includes a non-fiction spread with information about the real animal and the true events behind the story.
- GenresChristmas
32 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2022
9 people want to read
About the author
John Hay
545 books5 followersJohn Milton Hay (October 8, 1838 – July 1, 1905) was an American statesman & official, lawyer and writer; his career in government stretched over almost half a century. Beginning as a private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln, Hay's highest office was United States Secretary of State under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Hay was also an author and biographer, and wrote poetry and other literature throughout much of his life.
John Hay was born on October 8, 1838, in Salem, Indiana, but spent most of his youth in Warsaw, Illinois. The third son of Dr. Charles Hay and Helen Leonard, Hay moved to Illinois when he was 13 years old to study at an academy in Pittsfield. There, he met John Nicolay, with whom he would later work as a private secretary for President Abraham Lincoln. A year later, in 1852, Hay left for Springfield College. After completing his early education, he was accepted into Brown University, his grandfather's alma mater.
While studying at Brown, Hay developed a strong interest in literature, particularly poetry. He became actively involved in Providence’s literary community, which included Nora Perry and Sarah Helen Whitman, who had been engaged to Edgar Allan Poe. Upon graduating from Brown, Hay was named "class poet," but he left school before receiving his diploma at the university's official commencement ceremony. After graduation, he returned home to Warsaw, Illinois, where he studied law and worked for his uncle, Milton Hay's law office.
The law office where Hay worked was next door to Abraham Lincoln's law office and, as a result of their close proximity, Hay and the future president became acquaintances. Lincoln was elected president of the United States in 1861 and he chose John Nicolay, Hay's childhood classmate, as his secretary. Nicolay subsequently recommended Hay for the position of private secretary to the president. Hay was offered the position, and served in the Lincoln White House from 1861 to 1865.
He went on to serve as the U.S. secretary of state for both William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Arguably his greatest influences were negotiating the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty and promoting an "Open Door" policy in China.
Hay continued to write throughout his life. His literary work includes Pike County Ballads and Other Pieces, a book of poems; the novel The Bread-Winners; and Abraham Lincoln: A History, a historical non-fiction book co-written by John Nicolay.
Hay died on July 1, 1905, in Newbury, New Hampshire.
John Hay was born on October 8, 1838, in Salem, Indiana, but spent most of his youth in Warsaw, Illinois. The third son of Dr. Charles Hay and Helen Leonard, Hay moved to Illinois when he was 13 years old to study at an academy in Pittsfield. There, he met John Nicolay, with whom he would later work as a private secretary for President Abraham Lincoln. A year later, in 1852, Hay left for Springfield College. After completing his early education, he was accepted into Brown University, his grandfather's alma mater.
While studying at Brown, Hay developed a strong interest in literature, particularly poetry. He became actively involved in Providence’s literary community, which included Nora Perry and Sarah Helen Whitman, who had been engaged to Edgar Allan Poe. Upon graduating from Brown, Hay was named "class poet," but he left school before receiving his diploma at the university's official commencement ceremony. After graduation, he returned home to Warsaw, Illinois, where he studied law and worked for his uncle, Milton Hay's law office.
The law office where Hay worked was next door to Abraham Lincoln's law office and, as a result of their close proximity, Hay and the future president became acquaintances. Lincoln was elected president of the United States in 1861 and he chose John Nicolay, Hay's childhood classmate, as his secretary. Nicolay subsequently recommended Hay for the position of private secretary to the president. Hay was offered the position, and served in the Lincoln White House from 1861 to 1865.
He went on to serve as the U.S. secretary of state for both William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Arguably his greatest influences were negotiating the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty and promoting an "Open Door" policy in China.
Hay continued to write throughout his life. His literary work includes Pike County Ballads and Other Pieces, a book of poems; the novel The Bread-Winners; and Abraham Lincoln: A History, a historical non-fiction book co-written by John Nicolay.
Hay died on July 1, 1905, in Newbury, New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 11, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
The Owl Who Came For Christmas us a beautiful heartwarming children's picture book about a little owl and their miraculous journey from forest to a family home one Christmas. This book is just the cutest and I fell in love with this little owl from the cover alone. After waking up to being wrapped up in a net one morning this little owl had an amazing journey and I loved that this was based on a real life story. How amazing this must have been to experience but how sad it is at the same time. This is a great book to spark a conversation with the child about conservation and doing our bit to protect the planet as well as about nature, wildlife and of course adorable little owls. A lovely, heartwarming book for Christmas!
The Owl Who Came For Christmas us a beautiful heartwarming children's picture book about a little owl and their miraculous journey from forest to a family home one Christmas. This book is just the cutest and I fell in love with this little owl from the cover alone. After waking up to being wrapped up in a net one morning this little owl had an amazing journey and I loved that this was based on a real life story. How amazing this must have been to experience but how sad it is at the same time. This is a great book to spark a conversation with the child about conservation and doing our bit to protect the planet as well as about nature, wildlife and of course adorable little owls. A lovely, heartwarming book for Christmas!
March 25, 2023
The Owl Who Came for Christmas is a children's picture book written by John Hay and illustrated by Garry Parsons. It was first published in 2019.
The book tells the story of a little owl named Rosie who is accidentally transported to a family's Christmas tree. The family is surprised to find Rosie, but they quickly come to love her. Rosie learns to love the family too, and she becomes a part of their Christmas tradition.
The book is a heartwarming story about the importance of family and friends. It is sure to bring a smile to the faces of children and adults alike.
The book tells the story of a little owl named Rosie who is accidentally transported to a family's Christmas tree. The family is surprised to find Rosie, but they quickly come to love her. Rosie learns to love the family too, and she becomes a part of their Christmas tradition.
The book is a heartwarming story about the importance of family and friends. It is sure to bring a smile to the faces of children and adults alike.
December 6, 2023
This story is really beautifully illustrated and such a sweet, calm story (with some mild peril) about an owl who accidentally goes to a family's home in their Christmas tree. Rosie the owl was drawn with such character and the family were so nice and sensible and there was a lovely happy ending. (Also I read it aloud at storytime and the children sat so nicely and paid attention really well for the whole story, which is rare!)
October 9, 2022
Perfectly pleasantly, but not outstandingly, this dramatises the real world story of a tiny owl that ended up in someone's living room, when the Christmas tree it was roosting in got chopped down, bundled up and sold to them without anyone being any the wiser. Nicely done, but not on a level with the great Christmas stories.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews