The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas book by Scripture Union
Many kids/family/schools workers like to give away a small gift to the children at their activities at Christmas time. This can be a great excuse for extending generosity at the same time as getting the real story of Christmas into the hands and homes of the children we work with. Books are a great tool by which to do this. In a couple of my previous roles as schools worker and as community youth worker we would give a gift like this to young people at Christmas.
These books by Scripture Union are designed for being given away to children of faith, some faith and no faith. Priced reasonably and able to be bought in packs of 10 especially for giving away. Retelling the Christmas story from the perspective of a grumpy owl who just wanted to be left alone for some peace and quiet. Having found himself in the place where Jesus was born he feels rudely interupted & leaves in a huff before he realises the importance of the place he finds himself in. He flies off far away, meets some shepherds and is almost eaten by a crafty fox before he ends up back where he started and realises he doesn’t want to be alone after all. The story ends with him catching some joy for himself, being transformed within, from a grumpy owl wanting solitude to a joy filled owl spreading the news of the special baby, inviting others in and sharing his new found joy. He was changed from an encounter with Jesus. And that is the intention of the book, that through it young people and their families might encounter Jesus themselves through the story and that they might realise the importance of the special baby and the transformative effect of Jesus on each of us.
I read the book to my 17 month old who enjoyed the pictures, she loves owls at the moment so that helped! There were a few too many words on each page for her short attention span, so I had to summarise some parts of the story – but she isnt the intented audience age range! It is designed for 5 to 11 year olds and their families for which i think it will engage well and be an excellent tool.
As usual Scripture Union have created a whole pack of resources to use with, around (or instead of!) the book, theres an animation, crafts, assemblies for schools, and more.
Not only does this book make a great giveaway at your Christmas events it has also been made into a play, providing the perfect event opportunity for churches and youth groups alike. It’s as easy as watching the play, providing refreshments and space to read the story together.
Created in partnership with the Artless Theatre Company, The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas is a brilliant storybook that makes the truth of Christmas accessible to children, young people, and families who may never have heard the story of the nativity before.
Now available in packs of 10 for £20! here
The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas Resource pack!
Created to be used alongside the book (and the animation) The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas Resource Pack offers ways in which you can use The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas to share the message of Christmas with children aged 5-11.
Inside you’ll find craft ideas, an interview with the authors, assembly outlines, and creative ways you can present the nativity to children who may never have heard the Christmas story before.