Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Owen
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
HarperCollins, 1993 ISBN: 978-0439686181
Owen has a best friend and companion who does ever single thing that Owen does. Owen has Fuzzy, his not-so-fuzzy-anymore blanket. Whatever Owen does he has Fuzzy with him. Whether it is watching scary movies, eating his meals, playing Captain Plunger, or going to the dentist, Fuzzy is always there.
The time has come however for Fuzzy to be retired for Owen is getting to be a big boy mouse and will be going to school soon. Owen can’t “be a baby forever” says Mrs. Tweezers the neighbor, and she has several suggestions on how to separate Owen from his beloved blanket. None of the suggestions work and Owen’s parents don’t know what they are going to do. Then Owen’s mother has a brilliant idea, and idea which will make it possible for Owen to have Fuzzy wherever he goes and be a big boy at the same time.
Having to accept that a much loved blanket or toy cannot be taken everywhere any more is a difficult transition time for children. How is one supposed to play games and get through the hard days without ones comfort friend? Thankfully there are lots of clever parents out there who, like Owen’s mother, find ways to make the transition less painful. Children who are going through this difficult time will be comforted by this book and their parents will be inspired to think of creative ways to solve their child’s problem. Children will love the ways in which Owen manages to foil Mrs. Tweezers suggestions. The warm and often amusing text combined with highly expressive and unique illustrations makes this a book children and their parents will come back to again and again.
This book was one of the titles to win the 1994 Caldecott Honor award.
