Owl Moon: questions to ask and activities to try
Late on a winter night, a girl and her Pa walk into the snowy woods to look for an owl. A Caldecott Medal book about patience, quiet and wonder.
What age is Owl Moon for?
Owl Moon is best for ages 4–8.
Owl Moon (Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Patience, quiet and wonder in nature
Only 50pOwl Moon activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Read it quietly, almost in a whisper. Talk about how hard it is to wait, and what made the waiting worth it.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–8 (Reception to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- Late on a winter night, a girl and her Pa walk into the snowy woods to look for an owl. A Caldecott Medal book about patience, quiet and wonder.
- Helps with
- Patience, quiet and wonder in nature
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Patience and waiting
- Being quiet and still
- Wonder in nature
- Time together with a parent
Comprehension and discussion questions for Owl Moon
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.
- “Why did they have to be so quiet?”
- “How did the girl keep warm?”
- “How did she feel while they waited?”
- “What happened when the owl came?”
- “What’s something you’ve had to wait for?”
- “What animal would you like to see in the wild?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Owl Moon
All 6 questions for Owl Moon on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Listening walk
Go outside, even just the garden, and stand still for one minute. Count every sound you hear.
Owl call
Learn to make an owl hoot by cupping your hands. Take turns calling and answering.
Owl Moon activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Nature & the World bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:Because of an AcornBeware of the CrocodileChristopher NibbleDot.Errol's GardenHot HippoHungry HenKatie's Picture ShowOnce Upon a JungleOnce Upon a StarOur Very Own DogRainSurprising SharksThe Bog BabyThe Boy Who Lost His Bumble£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25Owl Moon + Because of an Acorn + Beware of the CrocodileThe 3 books:Owl MoonBecause of an AcornBeware of the Crocodile£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Owl Moon, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about patience and waiting.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–8 (Reception to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Read it quietly, almost in a whisper. Talk about how hard it is to wait, and what made the waiting worth it.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why did they have to be so quiet?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Listening walk. Go outside, even just the garden, and stand still for one minute. Count every sound you hear. Children who finish early can try Owl call.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Owl Moon activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
Here's a Little Poem (Jane Yolen, Andrew Fusek Peters and Polly Dunbar)
- Best for
- A first book of poems about everyday life
- Age
- 1-5
Amara and the Bats (Emma Reynolds)
- Best for
- Caring about wildlife and taking action
- Age
- 4-8
Beware of the Crocodile (Martin Jenkins and Satoshi Kitamura)
- Best for
- Curious children who love real animal facts
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 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.