Owls in Our Yard!

Published: Norton Young Readers, 2024

48 Pages

Grades PreK - 3

ISBN:   978-1324053194 

What would you do if someone brought a half-dead baby bird to you? Fortunately, for Alfie, she was brought to Carl Safina who had experience and permits to care for injured birds.  Alfie was identified as a baby screech owl, but no one knew where she had come from or how she had survived.  Carl and his family cared for Alfie while she was growing up.  Carl had a problem.  Alfie was in a chicken coop with plenty of room and was a safe place to stay, but he knew that she should be out doing‘ owly things’. After winter was over he opened the coop and left the door open.  Soon Alfie was outside and on her own.  She ventured out, but would return days later and continued the friendship she had with Carl and his family.  They watched as she found a mate and raised three broods.  Carl says that there are always owls in their yard. 

This book is illustrated with photographs of Alfie and her owlets. Information about owls is included as part of the story.  Now, I want some owls in MY yard! 

Carl Safina is an ecologist, a professor, and a writer whose works have been in the New York Times, Time, The Guardian, Audubon, and National Geographic.  He lives on Long Island with his wife, Patricia, three dogs, and many feathered friends.  Carl took the photographs that illustrate Alfie’s story.

Reviewed by Audrey Campbell, MED

Reading Specialist and Library Media Center Director

Valley Adventist Schools, Rogers Campus

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