Owen (Caldecott Honor Book) [Hardcover]

Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 15, 1993 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Caldecott Honor Book | Lexile Measure: 370L (What's this?)

Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. "Fuzzy goes where I go," said Owen. But Mrs. Tweezers disagreed. She thought Owen was too old for a blanket. Owen disagreed. No matter what Mrs. Tweezers came up with, Blanket Fairies or vinegar, Owen had the answer. But when school started, Owen't mother knew just what to do, and everyone -- Owen, Fuzzy, and even Mrs. Tweezers -- was happy.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The clinical name is transitional object, but for young children, a beloved blanket is more like a lifeline. And that's exactly how Owen feels about his baby blanket, fondly named Fuzzy. The Owen-Fuzzy relationship is cruising along smoothly until a nosy neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, leans over the fence and asks his parents, "Isn't he getting a little old to be carrying that thing around?" With kindergarten just around the corner, Owen's parents wonder if he should in fact relinquish his prized Fuzzy. Kevin Henkes uses his signature mouse characters and jewel-tone watercolors to explore the antics and foils of one mouse-boy, one rag-blanket, and two parents wondering how to help their son kick the habit. This is what Henkes does best--playfully bringing childhood fears and feelings to the surface while portraying real-life parent-child tensions. Mrs. Tweezers, a real sourpuss, is no help at all. She offers terrible over-the-fence advice, such as dipping Fuzzy in vinegar (as if to cure a nail-biting habit) or stealing the blanket in the night.

It is not until the eve of Owen's first day of kindergarten that his mother hatches the perfect solution. Ultimately, she finds a way that Owen can hang on to his first true love while also taking the next step into middle childhood--a solution that suits everyone, including Mrs. Tweezers. Caldecott Honor Book, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List, ALA Notable Book, Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Book, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, ALA Booklist Children's Editors' Choice. (Ages 3 and older) --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

A worthy addition to Henkes's ( Chester's Way ; Julius, the Baby of the World ) impressive, engaging oeuvre, this animated tale takes up the case of a wee mouse's devotion to a no-longer-fuzzy blanket named Fuzzy. Imbued with Henkes's characteristically understated humor, spry text and brightly hued watercolor-and-ink pictures chronicle how Owen's next-door neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, suggests to Owen's parents a series of ploys to separate their son--who is soon to start school--from Fuzzy. The ingenious mouse foils each attempt, until his resourceful mother stumbles upon "an absolutely wonderful, positively perfect, especially terrific idea." With some snipping and sewing, she transforms the beloved blanket into a batch of very portable handkerchiefs, a stratagem that not only keeps Owen happy but manages to silence the meddling Mrs. Tweezers. Even youngsters unattached to a Fuzzy-like object will feel a kinship with the winningly wily Owen--and parents of the attached may find a useful solution to an age-old dilemma. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition (September 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439686180
• ISBN-13: 978-0688114497
• ASIN: 0688114490
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > School

More About the Author

Kevin Henkes is the creator of many distinguished books for children, including Kitten's First Full Moon (winner of the Caldecott Medal), Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Chrysanthemum. His novels for young people include Olive's Ocean (a Newbery Honor Book) and Bird Lake Moon.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Son's Favorite Preschool Book December 5, 1999

By Shannon Johnson

Format:Hardcover

This a very sweet book about growing up. In the book, the main character, Owen, is getting ready to go to school for the first time. He is crushed when he learns that he cannot take his beloved blanket to school with him. As the story unfolds, Owen and his parents work to find a solution to his dilema. This book has subtle humor and simple text that is perfect for emergent readers. The story is one that small children can easily relate to and parents will appreciate. The illustrations are consistent with Kevin Henkes' style. They are lovable and full of expression. I rate this book as one of Kevin Henkes' best!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Owen, My Hero February 15, 2002

By Ginkgo

Format:Hardcover

Owen is one of my favorite characters of all times...probably because like Owen, I was very attached to my blanket. How I wish this book had been published when I was a child! As usual, Kevin Henkes' story is charmingly written and illustrated. There is a lot of humor, plenty of which will make parents laugh as hard as(or harder than) their children.

When Owen's busybody neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, convinces Owen's parents that he's too old to carry around his beloved, yet tattered, blanket, his parents begin a campaign to separate Owen and the blanket. Little do they know the lengths to which Owen will go to protect his blanket. Owen's Mom comes up with a solution that makes everybody happy, even that annoying busybody Mrs. Tweezers! Owen is a spunky, loveable little guy!

Enjoy!!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Sends the wrong message about security objects July 24, 2012

By J. Quist

Format:Hardcover

Despite being a fan of Kevin Henkes, I could not bring myself to like this book. The idea behind the story- trying to get a young child to part with his/her blanket- is certainly one that might appeal to parents. However, I dislike the fact that the parents start trying to force their son to give up his security object simply because the neighbor who can't mind her own business peer pressures them into thinking they are being bad parents by letting him keep his "baby" object. They also make a fuss over Owen not being able to go to school with a blanket (which strikes me as odd because the preschools where I live don't seem to mind if you child brings a special object as long as they tuck it away in their cubbie). So not only do the parents attempt to force the poor kid to suddenly be okay with getting rid of his blanket, but when they realize it won't work they attempt to compromise by cutting it up into little squares and sending him to school with handkerchief-sized pieces. Suddenly Owen doesn't care that his blanket isn't fuzzy anymore and is in small squares, which I have a hard time believing wouldn't be rather heartbreaking in real life. My own son has a blanket he loves dearly but he is naturally spending less and less time with it on his own as he gets older without me having to give him lectures on how the nosy neighbor thinks he's a baby and hacking it into small pieces. I'm sorry, Kevin Henkes, but this one did not work for me as a parent. I'm not saying there shouldn't be rules about where a security object is or isn't allowed, but I disagree with the message that it's wrong to have one the minute you hit school age.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Wonderful! May 19, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Buy this book! Everyone can relate to the sweet story of Owen and his favorite blanket Fuzzy. Hooray for Owen's Mom who comes up with a creative solution to an age old dilemma. Delightful illustrations. This will be a favorite at bedtime.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Teacher's Review May 16, 2006

By Julie Knotek

Format:Hardcover

This is a review/evaluation of the book as part of an in depth study on children's picture books. I am a third grade teacher and I use this book in my classroom because no kid is ever too old to read a great story like this. I truly think it is a classic!

Evaluation: In addition to the wonderful illustrations, this Caldecott Honor book is also a heart warming story that is very appropriate for young readers. The illustrations and the story are very appealing to children and allows readers to easily identify with the main character and the situation he is in. The illustrations add to the meaning of the text because they emphasis the personality of the characters. They highlight Owen's playfulness and the love that he has for his blanket. They also add to the worries of the adults in the story because their concern shows in the illustrations. The illustrations also extend the text because they are so clear that a student could understand the story without actually reading the text and rely only on the clues from the illustrations. The background settings are also nicely illustrated and accurately detailed because it is easy to compare and contrast when they are in places in their house that is shared by all of the family members and when they are in Owen's room and his play area in the background. Henkes also adds specific details to the setting that compliment the fact that the main characters are mice. This is reflected in the art work they have in their house and the statues they have outside. The illustrations are done with watercolor paints and black pen for the full-color art. This compliments the mood of the book because the illustrations are very colorful and vibrant.... Henkes varies the size and number of illustrations on each page to compliment the plot and to reflect the sequence of events that take place. Each illustration is within black outlined boxes that make it easy to follow the progression of the story. The jacket and cover design expresses the theme and spirit of the book without giving away too much detail. The cover design gives some questions as to why a lady may be looking for the small boy and will spark children's curiosity making them want to read the book. The bright yellow and bold title stands out against a bright blue background. This book is very similar to Kevin Henkes other mouse books. All of his characters face some type of childhood problem that teaches them about growing up. His books are easily recognized by children because the title always contains the name of the main character. Readers also become familiar with the characters because they are in several of his books, even if it is only a picture of them with no reference in the story. The illustrations are all very similar in that they are fun and engaging and add to the story. Henkes commonly includes text in the illustrations that may be a character's thoughts or something they are actually saying. The added text is often more humorous than the story itself. Since Henkes is both the author and illustrator of his books, he has the liberty of making his text and illustrations become one and perfectly balance each other. This book is appropriate for the preschool level, but older children will also enjoy it, especially if they had a blanket or other comfort item that they adored in their childhood. Parents will also like the book if they are trying to teach their child the same lesson. This book is a very nice read aloud and should be part of classroom libraries. It should be on a booklist as a must read for students who are about to start kindergarten.

References:

Henkes, K. (1988). Chester's Way. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Henkes, K. (1996). Chrysanthemum. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Henkes, K. (1996). Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. New York: Greenwillow Books. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mom of a real Owen February 8, 2006

By Nicole Browne

Format:Hardcover

I was given this book as a baby gift after my son Owen was born. I have been hooked on Kevin Henkes ever since. I still remember pausing in the story and my son Owen, when he was only 2 saying, "No, Fuzzy is perfect". This is a beautiful story which will be one of the books I hold onto forever. My Owen also has a special blanket that at 9 he still sleeps with- his coldie he calls it. Your kids and you will love this book even if they don't have a special blanket or lovie of some kind. All my children love this book and I have given it as a gift many times- also Lily's Purple Plastic Purse- very loved by all my kids. Enjoy! (And don't worry about what the nosey neighbors think!)