graphicmom's Full Review: Kevin Henkes and Maria Luz Castela Gil-Torresano -...
In my search for more Caldecott winning books, I found a book called Owen that received the 1994 Caldecott Honor. Owen is beautifully written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes.
Most children go through a phase in life where they become attached to an object. My oldest was attached to her thumb. It was her security. When she gave that up, she had a blanket, which she called banky. When she was in the eighth grade, she lost it at someone’s house and couldn’t remember where. She became attached to a stuffed animal (a dog) that she calls Derek. She sleeps with Derek to this day, and she is 16 years old now. He doesn’t seem to have much hair left, but she loves him still.
My other children had their attachments to pacifiers. They outgrew them and didn’t have another attachment.
Owen is about a little mouse that was attached to his yellow, fuzzy blanket, which he calls “fuzzy”. Fuzzy was old, worn, dirty and smelly. It lost its fuzziness. But Owen loved it all the more.
One day, Mrs. Tweezers told Owens parents that he was too big for the blanket. She suggested telling Owen that if he put it under his pillow, the blanket fairy would come and exchange it with the best gift ever for a little boy mouse. Owen wasn’t ready to give up Fuzzy, so he hid it in his pants.
The next day, Mrs. Tweezers suggested using vinegar. Owens father dipped his favorite corner in vinegar. Owen chose a different corner and eventually got the smell out and his blanket was as good as new.
With school growing closer, Owens mother knew Owen couldn’t take the blanket to school with him. Owen was upset. Owens mother came up with an idea. She cut the blanket and sewed it into handkerchiefs. Owen and his mother are happy. And now, Fuzzy can go to school with Owen.
Owen can be purchased in hardcover at http://www.amazon.com for $12.76.
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