Owls in Our Yard!: The Story of Alfie

by Carl Safina, Tatsuro Kiuchi (Illustrator)

A baby owl is rescued and rehabilitated, and builds her own family, in this tender and wise picture book. In the spring of 2019, ecologist Carl Safina and his wife, Patricia, took in little Alfie, a bedraggled Eastern Screech Owl chick who quickly became part of their family. With the Safinas’ care and expertise, the little owl grew, learned to hunt on her own, and eventually found her own family in a mate and chicks. As time passed, Carl realized that his bond with Alfie was greater than just saving her life―it offered wisdom, joy, and magic to him in return. Carl Safina lends an insightful and expert voice to Alfie’s tale, providing readers with a perspective that is simultaneously informative and deeply personal. With eye-catching, intimate photographs chronicling Alfie’s healing and growth, Owls in Our Yard is the heartfelt story of an animal/human friendship rooted in trust, care, and respect for the natural world. full color photos throughout

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Birds

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 24, 2024

About the author

Carl Safina’s work has been recognized with MacArthur, Pew, and Guggenheim Fellowships, and his writing has won Orion, Lannan, and National Academies literary awards and the John Burroughs, James Beard, and George Rabb medals. He has a PhD in ecology from Rutgers University. Safina is the inaugural holder of the endowed chair for nature and humanity at Stony Brook University, where he co-chairs the steering committee of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and is founding president of the not-for-profit organization, The Safina Center. He hosted the 10-part PBS series Saving the Ocean with Carl Safina. His writing appears in The New York Times, Audubon, Orion, and other periodicals and on the Web at National Geographic News and Views, Huffington Post, and CNN.com.

He lives on Long Island, New York with his wife Patricia, the two best beach-running dogs in the world, some chickens, a couple of parrots, and Frankie the kingsnake.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully photographed children’s book that tells the true story of Alfie, an orphaned owl that unknowingly found the perfect family to rescue and rehabilitate her.

Through pictures and words, children will have the opportunity to learn how humans and wild animals interacted. And how the humans, in creating a safe environment to allow this owl to eventually grow up and be an owl, she could find and create her own family.

Apparently, this is the second in a series featuring Alfie. Since I haven’t read the first book yet, I am not sure it is necessary to read that one in order to appreciate this one. I have gone ahead and ordered the first book from my local library, “Alfie & Me: what owls know, what humans believe.” I will keep you posted.

Reading level: Ages 4 – 8 years – Grade level: Preschool – 3rd grade

[Carl Safina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author. My 5 stars are for Alfie herself. Readers might like to know that she has been free-living since 2019 and will be 7 years old in May 2025. With two wild mates she has raised 15 wild young owls. Despite her near-death rescue and her rehabilitation around humans, Alfie has always responded normally as an owl to her wild owl suitors, and as mentioned she has raised and fledged fifteen young owlets who all dispersed naturally into their wild lives. Alfie's two mates have both been wild owls. Her first mate nested with her for two years. He failed to return in the third year (meaning that he died). That year, Alfie had no mate and her eggs were infertile. The following winter Alfie acquired a new mate with whom she nested in 2023 and 2024. He is still here now in March of 2025 and they are beginning the activities of a new nesting cycle. I can easily watch their nest and I see them several times a week as they move in and out and often call at night from various trees around our yard. Every one of Alfie's eggs that has hatched has resulted in a fledged young wild owl; she has never lost a chick in the nest. They are a bit of magic and they provide a much-needed sense of sanity and solace. This story would be a happy-ending if it had ended, but the happiness continues.

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story! Carl Safina and his wife find a young, injured owl in their yard and decide to raise Alfie. Together, they get to watch the young owl grow and find her way in the big world.

[Janet Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs illustrate the story of Alfie, the rescued Eastern Screech Owl. Interesting, informative and loving . I've had to reread this several times. Thanks to Netgalley.

[Megan | _The.Brunette.Bookworm_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute read.

Alfie was so easy to love and cheer for. Loved watching her grow, learn and all the things.

Sweet book for those that love the outdoors, wildlife and a feel good story.

[Steff Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love animal rescue stories! The vast majority of my exposure to this sort of stuff is YouTube, but I was really pleased to see this absolutely amazing chronicling of a family’s experience saving a little owlet and watching her grow up, leave the nest—so to speak—and make a life for herself! We get to see a bunch of really cool photos of this owl’s life journey, the experiences she has, and the companions she makes. The book doesn’t really have an ending for the owl, but is rather open ended because so is this beautiful bird’s life.

I found the book inspiring and beautiful. It’s not very long, but you get a lot of exciting photos of this owl’s journey and the family who saved her. Her story is one that has taken place over a long period of time, but it’s certainly one that isn’t over, even if the book is. I’m really excited for everyone who has a chance to read this book and who may one day be inspired to take care of animals they may meet in their life should opportunity ever arise.

It’s really wonderful, also, how the book encourages helping only when needed and the goal always being to return these animals to their natural habitat. Definitely a wonderful read and a book worth owning!

[Sheila Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owls in Our Yard is a delightful book for the whole family. The photographs enriched the story and I truly appreciated the author giving us a peek into his backyard! Maybe he will inspire others to enjoy the nature right outside their window, I know he did me.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Alfie, an owl who survived due to a miracle when he was found lost and alone as a baby. Thankfully, the person who found him called wildlife experts for help and Alfie found a loving home. Alfie's family made sure to provide the love and care she needed while also letting her have her freedom, and when she got older, she decided to stay there and raise her family with her mate.
This is a fantastic book with fantastic nature photos Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a baby eastern screech owl is found abandoned and alone, in very bad shape, ecologist and natural history writer Carl Safina, his wife Patricia and their three dogs take the avian orphan in and raise her. They worry that this new charge won't find her wings and take to flight, living the life she is meant to do, but eventually she does just that, returning to the wild but retaining the Safinas' back yard as her home base. Here she returns, with her new mate Plus-One, nesting and raising a trio of little owlets...

Published last year (2024), Owls in Our Yard!: The Story of Alfie is the children's version of Safina's adult memoir from 2023, Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe . It is the second book I have read from this writer, following upon his beautiful work of natural history for adult readers, Voyage of the Turtle: In Pursuit of the Earth's Last Dinosaur . Because I love that earlier book, and because I love both owls and rescue stories, I was fairly certain I would enjoy this one, and I was not wrong! The story itself is simply told and very engaging. Safina captures the important elements of Alphie's story, as well as his own reaction to and feelings for his strigine friend. Alfie's inspirational role during the period of Covid, as well as the saga of her first owlets, was very well told indeed. The accompanying photographs are lovely, and Alfie herself a beauty! Most of the photographs were taken by Safina, a few by his wife, while the interior illustrations were done by Tatsuro Kiuchi (credited only on the colophon). Highly recommended to young owl lovers, and to anyone who enjoys animal rescue stories. I will have to see about tracking down the adult version of this one.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Owls in Our Yard! is a touching and well written illustrated book for young readers about an owl he and his family rescued by Carl Safina. Due out 25th June 2024 from W.W. Norton on their Young Readers imprint, it's 48 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is such a beautifully written true story, showing how Alfie, a foundling screech owl, fostered by the author's family, successfully learned how to be an owl, grew up, found a mate, and thrived in the wild. It's written in simple, accessible language and the pictures are clear and in color throughout.

The author is an ecologist and nature writer, and he speaks knowledgeably and simply about owls, nature, wildlife rehabilitation, and how we can do our parts. The book is written for ~4-8 year olds but all ages will enjoy seeing the tiny fuzzy owlet turn into a beautiful wild grown up owl and raise babies of her own.

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have, but have not yet had the chance to read, ecologist Carl Safina's adult nonfiction book Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. I can only imagine that this wonderful work of children's nonfiction is the perfect distillation of Safina's longer work, but children and adults alike will love the photographs of the little eastern screech owl as she grows and learns in Safina's backyard during Covid: "Alfie's magic was perfectly timed to help us, when we needed to find a way to feel that things were OK." She also finds a mate and raises her own broods of little owls, and again, the photos are adorable. It's obvious that Safina and his wife Patricia took great care and bore much love for this little fledgling, but also wanted her to grow up wild and free. A perfect true story for the nature (and especially bird) lovers in your life.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story about the natural world and filled with photographs worthy of National Geographic. As indicated by the publisher's blurb, it is the story of one tiny rescued owl and those who ensured her survival as well as those of her progeny at a time in the human world when life was viewed as more precious because of the restrictions and more because of a growing pandemic. The reading level is no less than middle school but is well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, hospital, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary advance uncorrected proof on Adobe Digital Editions from W. W. Norton & Company/Norton Young Readers via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safina wrote about Alfie in his adult novel and now brings it to a children's audience as they found a matted, beat up little Alfie and decided to care take for the owl and watched Alfie grow into a fantastically amazing owl who partnered up with Plus-One and had several broods of owlets while still calling the place around the Safina's home home.

It's not quite a picture book, not quite a middle grade but somewhere in between. The only thing that was frustrating was the action pictures that were more blurry than clear so I would have preferred to have them left out as they didn't add much to the story however I did like several of the diagrams (like an owl's internal bone structure) and the various pictures of Alfie in her nest boxes put up around the home.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book learning about how this family helped a rescued near death screech owl. Their lives were then blessed because they got to watch the owl they helped return to nature, raise 3 broods and put 10 new screech owls out into the world from the safety of their yard and love. What a fun experience they must have each year as Alfie comes back to their yard to raise her latest babies.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the chance to read this ARC.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and following the story of Alfie.

The story was easy to follow and I loved seeing how the story developed.
The photos in the book are great and Alfie is very cute.

The book shows the importance of animal rescues and how vital they can be in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals that need help.

It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon - very highly recommended!

[Hailey Vittrup · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book as a DRC. This book tells the amazing, true story of Alfie, an owl rescued by a professor and his wife. The vivid descriptions, beautiful photos, and fascinating story of Alfie and its rescue and life make this a book to remember. While I would recommend this story to kids and adults, there is also reportedly a book about Alfie written for adults. 10/10 recommend!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction account of owls who bonded with the humans who rescued them was very interesting and made for a great photo-illustrated book. I think this will be a fun read for any child who is an animal lover and interested in natural habitats, but I worry that readers may think that they too can keep an owl as a pet. Overall this was an enjoyable read, with great pictures and narration.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for 3-5th graders who like owls. The writing wasn't superb, but the pictures and fun stories/facts about owls will keep those who love these animals reading regardless.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir of the man and woman who gave a baby owlet a place to live and recuperate, so that it could grow up into the wild owl it was meant to be.

[Paul Delacruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The caretaker story of Alfie was touching where learn about a little owl getting saved and end up becoming a dad.

[Yvonne Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very nice story for young children. Great photographs of the owls.
Thanks for the free book.

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the love ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This has it all: cool true story, knowledgeable caretaker, fluffy strong owls, and great writing!

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Full of love and wonder.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Non-Fiction Children's Book that I read to my twin boys, and they loved this book so much. I really found this book to be so much fun to read. I loved all the pictures. I also think this book teaches everyone about owls which I enjoyed. I love birds so much. This was a fun and cute read. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.