The Owl and the Cactus

The Owl and the Cactusby Hannah Dawn Gold is an illustrated tale of exploration and friendship for children who are setting out on their own adventures in life. This light-hearted story follows the adventures of a very small owl, as he takes his first tentative flight in his desert home, encounters challenges and eventually finds his way home. In a big world, sometimes things can go wrong for even the bravest explorer. When Owl finds himself in need of help, he discovers that everyone is important, including people who are quiet, shy and could be easy to pass by, because ‘Even the smallest people can know important things!’

Sometimes when we’re whizzing around in excitement, chasing the next achievement, we can overlook what’s around us. In a busy world, even young children can sometimes feel pressure. The Owl and the Cactus gently guides readers to understand that it is good to try new things, getting caught up in the thrill of success and it is also fine to stop, take a breath when we need to and ask for help. The wish to explore and grow is encouraged and supported in this book, balanced with the lesson that sometimes growing up can be challenging and the world can be a scary place when things aren’t going our way, but when we are willing to listen, even to those who seem different to us then friendship can be found at any moment, even when we think we are alone.

The young owl’s first flight introduces the natural world to children as a home to be appreciated, not just rushed past. As the youngster finds his confidence, he discovers that nature can show us valuable things. Hannah writes, ‘I will tell you a secret about all living things, it may help you to know, when finding your wings!

The wind, the moon, the stars and stones, all are telling the story of our wild desert home.

All of them have something to say, if you ask them and listen, they will show you the way.’

While Owl finds out about looking at the sky, his discoveries open the idea that the stars can show us where we are going. Something children can use to begin a...read more...