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    Owen
    Owen
    Owen
    Audiobook6 minutes

    Owen

    Written by Kevin Henkes

    Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker

    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
    PublisherWeston Woods
    Release dateJan 1, 1996
    ISBN9780545787086
    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

    4/5

    100 ratings52 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I think that Owen is a good children’s book. I like Owen because of the plot. I think that this is a very relatable story about growing older because we have all had something from our childhood that we did not want to give up. Owen did not want to give up Fuzzy, his blanket, so he kept outsmarting his parents. He held on to Fuzzy because it was his security blanket and it comforted him, so it was tough for him to finally let go in the end. I think that having the story end on a positive note, where Owen was allowed to keep parts of his blanket is a happy and hopeful ending that most children would enjoy. I also really like the characters. I think that Kevin Henkes creates the mice characters to be very human like that the readers almost forget they are mice. Owen is so much like a six year old. He is growing older, yet still holding onto his childhood. Owen’s parents are concerned about Owen still holding onto his baby habits and they attempt to do what most parents try, which is to take the blanket away from him. I think that the main idea of the story is to never be afraid of getting older because good things come from moving on.
    • 5/5
      Owen has a favorite fuzzy yellow blanked that he takes everywhere. His parents realize he is too old for it and he will not be able to bring it to school when he starts. They try telling him the blanket fairy is going to come and they try putting vinegar on it but neither of the ideas work. Finally Owen’s mother thought of the perfect idea of cutting up the blanket into handkerchiefs that Owen could carry around with him. The idea was perfect.
    • 4/5
      A really good, cute story.
    • 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.
    • 3/5
      I did not really like this story because of the characters. Mrs. Tweezer was a neighbor who was much too concerned about Owen. She rudely butts in and gives her opinion. Unfortunately, Owen’s parents listen to her. For example, “Isn’t he getting a little old to carrying that thing around?” asked Mrs. Tweezers. “Haven’t you heard of the Blanket Fairy?” After her first idea does not work, she gives another idea, and the parents also listen, “Haven’t you heard of the vinegar trick?” I just did not like the idea of someone else telling Owen’s parents when he was too old for his blanket and how to handle it. The central message of this book is that listening to what someone else has to say does not always help. Even though Mrs. Tweezer gave Owen’s parents a lot of ideas about how to get rid of the blanket, none of them worked. Once Owen’s mother thought of an idea on her own, and one that considered Owen’s feelings about his blanket, “It was an absolutely wonderful, positively perfect, especially terrific idea.”
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 4/5
      In “Owen” the artist does a very good job of conveying the emotions of the main character Owen. Just form the art you really understand how important Owen’s blanket is to him. Through the uses of facial expressions and lovable characters the artist really helps you connect with the characters.
    • 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.
    • 4/5
      In this picture book a young mouse named Owen had to have his blanket everywhere he went. The neighbor would try and tell his parents different tricks trying to get him to get rid of it. His momended up cutting his blanket into handkerchiefs, so he could take them to school with him.This was a very cute story that hit home a little. My friends little boy has so attached to his blanket when he was a little boy. She had the hardest time taking it away from him. This story gave several good ideas on how to handle this situation.In the classroom with my students I would let them take turns telling a story. They could tell a story about when they were little and if theyhad something they really liked and had to give up.
    • 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!
    • 5/5
      This is a cute story about a little mouse whose name is Owen. Owen is attached to his blanket and he brings it everywhere with him. At the end of the story, Owen's parents think of a way where Owen can keep his blanket forever. This is a great story read aloud story to read to students. The story is the most appropriate for intermediate readers.
    • 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.
    • 4/5
      Owen clearly has a problem. Kevin Henkes doesn't shy away from letting us know, through the illustrations, that his problem is a buttinsky neighbor. Unfortunately, Owen's parents listen to their neighbor and keep taking her dubious advice about his blanket. Of course, Owen really *can't* bring his blanket to school - but his parents finally stop thinking of Mrs. Tweezers' view of things and come up with a bright idea - they turn Fuzzy into handkerchiefs! Perfect solution and everybody's happy.Great ending, and I do love Owen's passive resistance to his parent's obsession.
    • 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.
    • 4/5
      Owen is attatched to his blanket Fuzzy. He takes this blanket everywhere he goes. His parents are trying to find a way to break his attatchment since he is starting school soon. They come up with ways and excuses like it is too dirty or it is torn. None of these ideas work. Finally at the end of the book she comes up with a way that he can have his blanket all of the time. She cuts the blanket into small hankerchiefs so that Owen can carry it everywhere. This is a good book for young readers because they can relate to the situation. They have probably at some time in their life had to seperate from something that they were use to carrying with them all of the time. It could have been a dool, blanket, pacifier, etc.
    • 4/5
      Owen has a fuzzy yellow blanket that goes everywhere with him that he has had since he was a baby. Fuzzy goes whereever Owen does and likes everything that he likes. Owen's parents thought that he was getting to old to carry a blanket around, plus Fuzzy was torn, ratty, and dirty. Owen's parents want him tp put it under his pillow at night and let the blanket fairy come to get it adn replace it with a big boy gift, but that didn't happen. Mrs. Tweezers (neighbor) tells Owen's parents about the vinegar trick and saying no, so that Owen doesn't bring Fuzzy to school. Instead, Owen's mother comes up with a great plan to snip the fuzzy blanket into pieces and sewed them like small pieces of handkerchiefs. Now Owen and his parents were both satisfied and he still got to take a litte piece of Fuzzy with him everywhere he went.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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!).
    • 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
    • 5/5
      A touching book about a mouse boy named Owen and his favorite blankie, Fuzzy. Trouble ensues when a neighbor implies that Owen is too old for a blankie. A solution to the problem arrives on the eve of Owen's first day at kindergarten. A beautiful book!
    • 3/5
      Owen carries his blankey everywhere and adores it. The blanket is about as ragged as you'd expect, and everyone says he can't take it with him to school. His mother, however, comes up with a solution- she makes it into handkerchiefs!
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 5/5
      I would personally like to thank Kevin Henkes for writing the book Owen because it seemed like a gift to me and my son, Owen. The book Owen came out in 1993 and the person Owen came out in 1992. My Owen had a year to establish himself as a little human being and by the time he was a year old he had a comfort "LeLe" -- a Lambchop puppet with a soft wooly fleece and he sucked his thumb. I think maybe Kevin Henkes saw us at the park one day and became inspired by my adorable son, and wrote this beautifully illustrated and sweetly written book about a little mouse named Owen who sucks his thumb and has a comfort blanket named "Fuzzy." Henkes probably changed LeLe into Fuzzy to protect the innocent. Owen (the book) is the story of a little mouse who can't go anywhere or do anything without his "Fuzzy." Fuzzy experiences life with Owen, 'eating and drinking' orange juice, ice cream and applesauce cake. Owen's parents don't think much about their son's attachment to his blanket until a nosey old neighbor -- Mrs. Twitter -- starts to suggest that Owen is too old for such a thing. Soon Owen's parents are telling him that Fuzzy is going to disappear and be replaced by a toy that is for big boys. Owen hides Fuzzy in the pants of his pajamas to avoid losing him. As Owen deals with the daily trials and tribulations of a 4-year-old (going to the dentist, getting a haircut), Fuzzy is called into service on a regular basis. So begins gentle nudging from Owen's parents to make him give up Fuzzy before he begins going to school. They resort to such tactics like dipping her in vinegar and outright telling Owen he may not take her to school. Owen's tears at losing his friend gives his mother an idea, and soon Owen is able to take Fuzzy to school without anyone realizing it. Owen is once again smiling and happy. Henkes drawings are delightful, and Owen is as cute as he can be with big mouse ears and a sweet little face. Each picture correspondes with the text so younger listeners will be able to follow along with the words and pictures in a read-aloud. Henkes also captures Owen's imagination as he pretends he's Captain Plunger (in the bathroom), he's marching in a parade, and playing in the backyard. If we remember our own children playing, it'll be easy to see a little bit of Owen in each of them. One of the things Henkes does so endearingly in this book is show how conflicted Owen's parents are about making their son give up something he loves. As parents a lot of us have been there, and it's broken our heart as much as our children's heart to try and force them to stop doing something that makes them feel good, i.e., suck their thumb, twirl their hair, rub their face with the satiny part of their blankie, or idly thumb the fleece fuzz on their LeLe. I've been there thinking, what difference does it make if my Owen sleeps with LeLe or not? When he goes to college he likely won't take her with him, so was it necessary for me to tell him to be a big boy and give her up? I would've upset Mrs. Twitter because I never took my Owen's LeLe from him. On a very basic level Kevin Henkes wrote this beautiful story and it will endure the test of time as long as human beings need love and comfort. In fact, one of our most basic human instincts is to comfort ourselves when we're stressed, sad, lonely, or upset. Owen (the book) touches at the heart of that basic need, and I was reminded of that when I watched Owen (my 16-year-old son) idly touch the wool fleece insert in his jacket -- just like he used to touch LeLe when he was three-years-old and needed comfort -- as he was telling me about his girlfriend breaking up with him. It made me want to get out our copy of Owen and read it to him. [close]
    • 4/5
      Owen takes his blanket everywhere. It's his best friend. But his parents know that he can't take it with him on his first day of school and try various tricks to separate Owen and the blanket. But Owen is a smart little boy and outwits them at every turn, until his mother comes up with an ingenious compromise.
    • 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