Owl Babies Book and Toy Gift Set

"There aren't many 'baby books' that convey this kind of emotional richness supported by a perfect artistic form." -- Washington Post Book World

Three baby owls awake one night to find their mother gone, and they can't help but wonder where she is. What is she doing? When will she be back? Martin Waddell's tender text and Patrick Benson's stunning illustrations capture the anxious little owls as they worry -- and the joyous flapping, dancing, and bouncing that greet their mother's return. Now little readers will be bouncing themselves when they see the fluffy white baby owl they can play with long after the book is closed! A new edition of this comforting classic comes with a cute owl toy to remind the youngest of children that Mummy always comes back.

About the Author

Born in Belfast, Martin Waddell was an aspiring football player for many years, before turning his hand to writing. He is now widely regarded as one of the greatest living children's writers, and has over 220 published titles to his name. He is perhaps best known for Owl Babies, illustrated by Patrick Benson and Farmer Duck, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury; as well as the 1989 Kurt Maschler Award-winning The Park in the Dark and the Little Bear series, both illustrated by Barbara Firth. In 2004, Martin received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his lasting contribution to children's literature, the highest career recognition available to a writer or illustrator of children's books. He lives in Newcastle County Down, in Northern Ireland.

About the Illustrator

Patrick Benson has won many awards for his work, including the Mother Goose Award, the Christopher Medal and the Kurt Maschler Award. He gained great acclaim for his illustrations in Owl Babies, which has sold over two million copies worldwide, and went on to illustrate The MinPins by Roald Dahl, The Little Boat by Kathy Henderson, The Sea-Thing Child by Russell Hoban and, most recently, Soon by Timothy Knapman. He lives in Hawick, Scotland.