When you know something is right.
The Barn Owl that changed my life.
Plop was a baby Barn Owl, and he lived with his Mummy and Daddy at the top of a very tall tree in a field.
Plop was fat and fluffy.
He had a beautiful heart-shaped ruff.
He had enormous round eyes.
He had very knackety knees.
In fact he was exactly the same as every baby Barn Owl that has ever been - except for one thing.
Plop was afraid of the dark.
Excerpt taken from “The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson
This is my very favourite book from my childhood. But, it has become much more than that. This book has steered the trajectory of my existence. The love and trust I developed for the book instinctively felt right. Looking back over the fifty years since I first read it, it was pivotal in stirring my curiosity for nature, wildlife and in particular Barn Owls. The messages it conveyed became core principles for me growing up. They remain with me to this day.
Reading through the book with young, naive eyes I realised that there was a way to connect to the world, to nature, to receive warmth, excitement and a sense of being part of something very special. The whole cycle of life is before you when you take time to observe, interact and muse over the messages nature offers. Oh and I also found out that Barn Owls go EEEK rather than Tu-wit-a-woo. This seven chaptered, ninety four paged book is, in my opinion, a work of genius.
The more subtle but no less important themes of the book cover bravery, trust, connection, the aging process, kindness, empowerment, friendship and finding your own way in the world. It teaches us about the life of a barn owl, habitats, the food chain, astronomy, nocturnal movements, the scout movement, nature drawing and finding out what makes your heart sing. It packs the content in for its ninety four pages.
Illustrations in The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark by Joanne Cole
It was first published by Methuen in 1968. This is my personal copy, published a little later in 1975 by Puffin Books, now discoloured, pages dropping out, well thumbed and one of my highly cherished possessions. It cost me 35p. The best 35p’s worth ever!
I didn’t do very well at compulsory education, for various reasons, but away from the shackles of the classroom, my love for nature and my thirst for a deeper knowledge for it grew. As an adult I obtained a science degree and taught many children the wonders of the natural world during a very satisfying teaching career. I also supported other teachers to develop their own scientific pedagogy.
On leaving the education rat race, taking on a completely different career path, I knew it was important to find a way to build in the messages of the natural world into my holistic therapy practice. This is where my writing life really began as I now write about the joy of the ordinary, celebrate the daily miracles I witness from my own home and share my love of things that can easily be taken for granted or completely ignored. The freedom to immerse myself in nature whenever I want has been a life-changing career move and one that Plop would probably approve of.
I am truly blessed that I can now read this little book to my grandchildren. Those opening lines fill me with a sense of nostalgia and always make me feel very emotional. On first reading it to my grandson, a silent tear slipped down my cheek whilst I wondered if this would be a pivotal moment in his life too.
I am currently writing two books, one to support wellbeing through nature, and a children’s book with nature at its heart and a quirky little character who I am sure will teach us the joy of living. It would be my dream to have a book that will resonate so deeply with young minds, perhaps even informing life choices. A legacy for my grandchildren perhaps. The author of my childhood book has sadly died. I often think about her. I wonder if her children realise the importance of their mum’s work in shaping a generation and how grateful we are to have come across and read such an exceptional piece of art.
I am curious
What childhood book was of great influence to you and still remains so today?
What is your favourite animal? Can you trace when and why it resonates with you?
If you were an animal, what would you like to be?
What beautiful imagery of the owls! I think most people have a soft spot for them. For myself, it was always horses when I was a child. Even now, when I think of/consider art, I think it would be horses that I would try to draw/paint/sculpt. Everything about them appeals: their power, their grace, their speed, their beauty. Really, I don't think there is such a thing as an ugly horse.
I love that this book was so pivotal for you. I'm sure the author would have beamed with pride had she known.
My own favourites were the Pookie (the rabbit with wings) series by Ivy Wallace. Made me realise right then that I needed to live in the woods with the woodland animals. I read them only as library books, but have a small collection of special ones now.