Little Owl's Book of Thinking Out Now in Paperback

"It’s amazing what you can do on a train bound for Exeter. (I wasn’t bound for Exeter, the train was. I was going to Reading. Which is ironic given that I wrote a book. A bit like going to Barking to buy a dog. Or Brent for a goose.)

What came out on my journey were the bare bones of the book you are about to read—years of research, teaching and experience about how young people can use their brains more effectively squeezed into seven chapters, two owls, a whole forest of woodland creatures but no very small sheep.

What was in the back of my mind—wherever that is—was the thought of a father reading the book to his child and getting as much from it as his son or daughter. Maybe even more."

This was how I started one of my first books, Little Owl’s Book of Thinking, over 20 years ago, a book that is now being rereleased for our Independent Thinking Press in paperback for the first time.

Not All The Way

A woodland conversation between a young owlet called Benny (‘For those of you who don’t know, an owlet is a little owl, like a piglet is a little pig, and an outlet is a little out but not all the way.’) and his wise old father, it’s a book of advice for children on how to get the best out of their amazing brains.

The times may have changed but the advice, like a deputy head without a watch, is timeless.

From understanding the awesome power of what every child has between their ears to learning to take responsibility (‘Fly your own flight’); from creative problem solving (‘Nothing is more dangerous than an oak when it’s the only oak you’ve got’) to not wondering how smart you are but how you're smart, I wrote it to be instructional, motivating and, like ‘a stereo in a lift’, work on many levels.

Oh yes, and funny*.

I know from the feedback over the years how many children have enjoyed reading it and benefitted from its advice, either in a school setting or as a starting point for discussions at home.

What It Takes

At a time now where children are battling with climate anxiety, bad news from around the world, pressures from social media, a school system that seems to thrive on being unkind, uncertainty, insecurity and stress from so many angles, a little book that reassures them they’ve got what it takes is more valuable than ever.

You can order your shiny new paperback copy now with 20% off plus free p+p by using the code ‘ITL20’ at the checkout on the Independent Thinking Press website.

And watch out for a ‘best advice you’ve ever given/received’ competition coming soon!

So, remember, as Benny’s dad tells him,

'Do things no owl does or do things every owl does but in a way no owl does.'

*The rule in my family is if there is only one person laughing, even it’s the one who told the joke, it still counts! #dadjokes