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Berkeley's Barn Owl Dance

Picture Book by Tera Johnson

Aug 16, 2008 Elizabeth Yetter

First time author Tera Johnson has written a wonderful story for young children about being away from home and parents for the first time.

Children get scared when the first day of preschool starts or they have to start going to daycare. They are afraid to be away from their moms and dads for a time that seems to them like forever. Berkeley’s Barn Owl Dance by Tera Johnson (Kids Can Press, ISBN: 978-1-55453-263-6) addresses kids fears of leaving home for the first time.

Leaving the Nest

Berkeley is a happy young owl fledgling. She loves to dance and clap her wings, and she celebrates everything, from hatchings to moltings.

On the special night of “Leave the Nest Fall Fest” Berkeley gets nervous. She and her siblings must leave the comfort of the barn and their parents so that they can find a new home for themselves.

Momma owl cuddles with Berkeley and assures her that she’ll do just fine. Berkeley is meant to leave the nest and take her happy dance to a new place where she can spread her happiness.

Berkeley, Bo, and Bree

The three young owls leave the barn and fly through the night sky. The moon calls out to them to follow her.

The fledglings fly for many nights until they reach a tree. Berkeley doesn’t like the tree very much because she keeps falling off the branches and she snuggles next to Bo to get warm and wait for the next night. Upon waking, Berkeley spots Bree bouncing from branch to branch. Bree is happy and likes living in a tree. Bree decides to stay and live there.

Berkeley and Bo fly off into the night. Again the moon beckons them to follow her and the owls fly for many nights. The moon leads the two young owls to a bridge that crosses a stream.

Berkeley tries to dance around the bridge but she gets cold and wet. Living under a bridge is not as warm and cozy as living in a barn. Bo, however, likes living under the bridge and decides to stays.

Now Berkeley is all alone. She flies through the night sky for many nights, following the moon. Will she ever find a place as warm and cozy as her parent’s barn? Will she ever be happy enough to dance again?

Cute and Heartfelt

Berkeley is a young, energetic owl who is scared to be on her own for the first time. She has the same fears as children going off to school, daycare, or the babysitter: Will she be comfortable? Will she be okay? Will she ever see her mom and dad again?

Berkeley’s Barn Owl Dance addresses children’s fears and prepares them for leaving their own nest. This is a great book for parent’s to read to their children and for preschool teachers to read to kids on the first day of school.

The copyright of the article Berkeley's Barn Owl Dance in Children’s Books is owned by Elizabeth Yetter. Permission to republish Berkeley's Barn Owl Dance in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Berkeley's Barn Owl Dance