Adopted by an Owl: The True Story of Jackson the Owl

by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen

Book Overview

A Read Michigan Notable Book and Winner of the Michigan Reading Association's Great Lakes' Great Book Award

When a young boy makes a foolish decision to steal a great horned owlet from its nest, a licensed animal rehabilitator and his family take the owl in to care for him and train him to reenter the wild. While the family has rehabilitated many animals over the years, Jackson the owl proves to be like no other.

This is the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585360708
• ISBN13: 9781585360703
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.3" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

Adopted by an Owl

Both the pictures and the story are wonderful. The expressions given to the owl are great and the story is very warm and touching.

Your library must have!

Adopted By An Owl is a truly enduring tale. It tells of the Van Frankehuyzen family's rehabilitation of a Great Horned Owl and of the Owl, named Jackson, taking to the family as if he were the family dog! It is just amazing to read about the Jackson's interactions with the family, his healing process, and his overall protectiveness of them. Most people see these critters as frightening but you see how amazingly enough, Jackson was able to be both a free wild bird and yet an integral part of the family for many years. This is a wonderful book to share with Children as I think it helps to teach them compassion towards animals. It shows children that we can all be a part of nature by helping even the littlest creature live on. Hopefully, it teaches some that certain animals are not meant to be in captivity either .If you like this book, you must look for Saving Samantha. It is the Van Frankehuyzen's journal account of raising a baby fox pup who they found as a small kitten captured in a trap. I do not want to give too much away, but as a bookseller, this is my favorite Sleeping Bear Press children's book to date!

An excellent book!

As a naturalist who works with a permanently injured Great Horned Owl, I can say that besides being stunning, the illustrations in this book capture the true facial expressions and body postures of a Great Horned Owl. The information in this book not only draws you into the story, but it is very accurate and educational. I can't recommend this book highly enough to someone looking to present enthralling, accurate information about owl biology to youngsters (or adults for that matter!)

A Treasure

If you are looking for a beautiful example of love and dedication, look no more. This is a true story that will inspire readers of all ages to think about the world around them and the balance of nature that exists within that world. The illustrations are art that truly come from the heart. The text is enthralling and personal. The reader can visualize the two girls in the family who name the owl Jackson, "Faster than you could say bouncing, bobbling ponytails four times." As a teacher of young children, I can attest to the appeal that this book will hold for all. Readers often ask what it is that compels writers to write or artists to paint. One answer to that question can be found in this book. Write and draw what you know and love.

Adopted By A Book!

The illustrations (paintings) in this book are worth the price alone. They are absolutely stunning. A great book for your coffee table. Read it to your children or grandchildren. This book is sure to awake a sense of wonder in a young person. There are ecological concepts, such as food chains and predation, which are paramount to a youngster who needs a real world experience with living things. The great horned owl is vividly presented as a fearsome predator, yet as an individual the Van Frankenhuyzen's owl is one to be admired as well as respected. Thoreau rejoiced that there were owls. I too rejoice there are owls, and rejoice there are sensitive and compassionate naturalists who can bring the natural world into ours. What a blessing this book has been to my family. It will be read and reread again, especially when we can not get outside and tramp the woods and fields for our own owls!