Owl Babies: questions to ask and activities to try
Three baby owls wake up and their mother is gone. Owl Babies is a gentle, much-loved story for little ones who find goodbyes hard, with the happiest of endings.
What age is it for? Owl Babies is best for ages 2–5. Good for: Missing a parent, and trusting they'll come back.
Owl Babies (Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson)
- Age
- 2-5
- Best for
- Missing a parent, and trusting they'll come back
Read it before nursery or a new childminder starts. Let your child join in with Bill: “I want my mummy!” Make sure you linger on the page where she comes back.
What it helps with
- Finding drop-offs and goodbyes hard
- Starting nursery or a new childcare setting
- Trusting that a grown-up will come back
- Being brave in different ways, like Sarah and Percy
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “How did the owl babies feel when they woke up?”
- “What did Sarah, Percy and Bill each do?”
- “Which owl baby is most like you?”
- “How did they feel when their mother came back?”
- “Where do you think the mother owl went?”
- “What helps you when someone you love has gone out?”
5-minute activities to try together
I always come back
Play hide-and-seek or peekaboo. Each time you reappear, say “I always come back.” Use the same words at drop-off.
Goodbye ritual
Choose a special goodbye together, like a squeeze, a wave and a word, to use every time you part.
Free printables: Owl Babies worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Kissing Hand (Audrey Penn)
- Best for
- Nerves about starting school or being apart
- Age
- 3-6
The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)
- Best for
- Being apart at drop-off, a sleepover or the start of school
- Age
- 4-7
Goodnight Moon (Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd)
- Best for
- Winding down at bedtime, and settling to sleep
- Age
- 0-4
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.