ISBN 1 873877 72 2 Reardon Publishing RRP £5.99

Our Price £3.50 + £1.00 P&P

Aimed at primary school ages 5-9 years plus, but also enjoyable for parents to read to younger children.

“Be-bop, Alula and Bo” is a unique opportunity to follow the first year in the life of a barn owl and the adventures that come with growing up in the wild. Beautifully illustrated, it is educational yet remains entertaining with a variety of moods. There are comic elements, dramatic moments and of course, a very happy ending.

The story begins with a female barn owl helping her first baby (Be-bop) to hatch.  Be-bop, like all barn owl babies is rather ugly but of course, his mother thinks he’s beautiful.  We see Be-bop and his siblings develop and grow and Be-bop becomes a handsome, confident little barn owl.

Learning fast, the youngsters are soon providing for themselves and when it’s time for them to find homes of their own, Be-bop is the first to leave.  Life away from home isn’t as easy as expected. His first encounter on a busy road is almost his last.  He meets a hedgehog and then a badger who both try to give him sound advice but Be-bop, chooses to ignore them and settles to roost in a wood.  As morning comes, he is mobbed by angry crows and chased away.

After an exhausting flight Be-bop takes refuge in a church tower.  When night comes, he explores the surrounding area and there is a comedy moment as an old-timer staggers out of the pub and mistakes the hovering owl for a ghost. 

Be-bop discovers an old barn and nest box and as there’s no other resident, he settles in to roost for the day.  He is woken by the call of another owl in the meadow (Alula).  With a courtship flight and hunting demonstration, Be-bop persuades Alula to stay with him and they spend the winter together, hunting, preening and pair bonding.

Spring arrives and there is a tense moment as Alula has an unfortunate mishap, but luckily;  Be-bop is there to help. This brings the pair even closer together.  Just like his father before him, Be-bop becomes the provider as Alula lays eggs.  As the first hatches, our story returns to its beginning and the cycle is complete.

Comments by people who have read the book

Kate Humble: Wildlife presenter/Spring-watch/Autumn-watch/Animal Park

"A charming story and beautifully illustrated. It will help children (and indeed many adults) to better understand and appreciate the fascinating lives our barn owls lead. I have no doubt that it will be extremely effective as a conservation message too".

Adam Henson: Cotswold Farm Park/Presenter of COUNTRYFILE

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story to my daughter and having finished, she wanted to know more about their adventures. "A lovely story about the life of Barn Owls - very factual while easy to enjoy.  When is the sequel?"

David Ramsden: Barn Owl Trust Senior Conservation Officer

"We congratulate Bryony on producing a delightful story that gives younger readers a real insight into the struggle that wild Barn Owls face. Today's children are tomorrows adults. Be-Bop's story will help to raise awareness of life in the wild and show youngsters that their is so much more to life than TV and computers."

Leanne Thomas: Senior education officer, The Hawk & Owl Trust

This book not only contains an engaging story but also contains clear information to help children understand the many factors affecting the survival of wild barn owls

Excerpt from the book

The badger lifted up his pointy nose and sniffed the air.  “Well 'ello there” he said to Be-bop. “name’s Bracken - this is my sett. What’s an owl like you doing in a wood?”  “I’m looking for a new home” said Be-bop.  “are there other owls in here ?  There must be lots of room and plenty of food to eat.”  “You silly thing” said Bracken.  “They’re tawny owls in here -brown and grey like the bark of a tree.  They wouldn’t want an owl like you around. You stick out a mile with your bright white feathers - and didn’t your parents tell you about the crows ?”

 “My parents told me lots of things” said Be-bop – but I can look after myself now – I’m an adult” he said (feeling very clever).  “Well don’t say I didn’t warn you” said Bracken, and turning his back to Be-bop, he lumbered off into the wood. As Bracken disappeared from view, Be-bop took a good look around.  He flew along the avenue and looked at all of the trees.  There were some very strong branches but not many hollows.  Then he landed on a stile leading into a field of tall wheat.  As he looked across in the moonlight it looked just like water as it waved in the breeze. If there were voles out there, Be-bop couldn’t see them.  He turned back to the avenue, and quartered along, looking for food.  When he caught it, he settled on a good branch and tucked in.  He flew further up into the tree and saw Bracken coming back to the sett.