The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark - Jill Tomlinson > Reviews (7)

I love children's books and as I buy most of mine from car boot sales I can afford to buy dozens and not break the bank. One of my latest purchases for the princely sum of 10p is the owl who was afraid of the dark by Jill Tomlinson.

The story.
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The story is about plop a baby barn owl who is just like any other barn owl expect that he is scared of the dark. Plops mother suggests that he asks a little boy on the ground about the dark. Plop flies down and lands with a somersault. The boy tells Plop that dark is exciting especially as to-night there will be fireworks! Plop likes the sound of the fireworks but is still not convinced about the dark.

The next day mother owl suggests that plop asks an old lady in a deckchair about the dark. The old lady tells Plop that the dark is kind and allows her to sit and remember all the good times in her life. Plop remains unconvinced.

Next Plop visits a little girl who tells Plop dark is necessary to allow Father Christmas to come. Plop doesn't have a stocking to hang up and there is a charming bit where Plop tells his mother he is going to hang up a stocking for himself on Christmas eve.

Plop visits a man with a telescope and looks at the night sky in all its glory. Finally Plop meets a cat that offers to take Plop out at night to explore. The two have a wonderful time and finally Plop reflects on what all the characters he has meet have told him about the dark. Plop is no longer afraid and goes of to hunt with his parents.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Paul Howard with each page giving a child plenty to look at. I love the way the owl family have been drawn. The final page shows the owl family in silhouette flying of together to hunt with baby owl in the middle.

This is a truly wonderful book and I would have been happy to pay the list price of £4.99 for a copy. My copy is a paperback and has 32 pages. My 5-year-old son loves this story and as he is going through a stage of being afraid of the dark this book has really helped .The book shows a young child that the dark is really a bit exciting and nothing to be scared of. The book is not only touching but is humorous too. Plop landing in various ungainly ways at the feet of the various humans he encounters also makes my son laugh.

This book is widely available and I have recently seen it on a 3 for 2 offer in Waterstones.