Rated E for Everyone

When Little Owl’s home is cut down by people saying it will make a beautiful Christmas tree, she’s not sure she wants anything to do with Christmas, whatever that means. But then she is saved by a woman named Ellen, whose house is merrily decorated for the holiday and filled with birds who need someone to care for them. Surrounded by kindness and helpful new friends, Little Owl begins to wonder if Christmas might not be such a bad thing after all.

My mom heard on the radio about this little owl found in the Rockefeller Christmas Tree back in 2020. A year later, that little owl got a picture book written about her.

This sweet story is told from Little Owl’s point of view. You see how the tree is wrapped up with her inside and taken away to New York through her eyes. The poor thing doesn’t know where she is or what is happening. Luckily, some friendly people came to help her.

The main lesson to take away from this story is that when you are cutting down a Christmas tree, make sure no animals are living in it.

The illustrations of Little Owl are adorable. The illustrator nailed Little Owl’s round body and big yellow eyes.

At the end of the book, you will find ‘A Note from Ellen Kalish,’ the co-writer and caretaker of the real owl found inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Ellen Kalish talks about her love of animals and being a wildlife rehabilitator. A short summary of ‘The Real Story of Rockefeller’ is also included.

As a bonus feature, here are some pictures of Little Owl, a.k.a. Rockefeller, wrapped up in a scarf.