Owen by Kevin Henkes

Owen is great first of all because it is a story about a boy and a lot of books have girls as their main characters. It also would relate to a child very well because it is about Owen who is about to go to school but cannot bring his blanket with him even though he never has gone anywhere without it. This would be a good book for the beginning of the school year for kindergarteners. I could see myself erading it and opening up a discussion about what it is like for everyone to start school all by themselves. It could turn into a whole first week get to know each other project with a lot of activities that relate to Owen. Also, this would be a fantastic book for parents to read to their children at home when they are going through a similar stage.

Another thing I really liked is the Owen as a character. He is sort of silly and does things that a kid might do to outwit his parents so he can keep his blanket. Just like Sheila Rae the Brave, this shows Owen being brave by giving up his blanket. It also shows how mom knows whats best to do to make everyone happy in the end.