Exploring the Wisdom of the Wild
Shauna Kramer Barnes brings the beauty and mystery of nature to life in her enchanting children’s book The Owls of Wickenden Wood. Inspired by her own experiences living near the real-life Wickenden Woods, Shauna’s story weaves together the silent grace of owls, the wisdom of the forest, and the deep connection between humans and the natural world.
What inspired you to write The Owls of Wickenden Wood?
I live across the street from the Wickenden Woods and have encountered the owls who live there on a regular basis for years. As I would walk through the woods I often thought of what a great title that would make for a children’s story. Upon writing the story, I realized that it was a story about a story in which I was the original character inspired to tell the tale by the owls themselves.
Can you share any personal experiences with owls or nature that contributed to the story?
One of the more memorable experiences I can recall is when the barred owls had a baby and my family and I got to watch it up close taking a bath in the creek with the parents looking on. We hear their hoots and responses to each other day and night, when they are active. It’s their calls that remind us of their presence in the forest and that they are there even though you often can’t see them.
Do you see nature as having its own wisdom or voice, like the owls in your story?
Absolutely. I walk daily in the forest and encounter it’s beauty and wisdom throughout the seasons. The animals and birds who live there show how they are supported and provided for in the most abundant and natural way. Mother nature wastes nothing and the life that springs out of decaying logs and fallen leaves becoming soil, for example, shows the innate wisdom of the forest and the earth and how it provides.
Why did you choose owls as the central guides in your story, and what do they symbolize to you?
The owls have a mysteriousness to them. And of course, have been recognized as a symbol of wisdom throughout the ages. Their flight is silent which gives them an extra sense of intrigue to me. And the way they observe silently from the trees has always brought out a sense of knowing from them for me.
Do you have any favorite outdoor spots that you visit for creative inspiration?
The Wickenden Wood is one of my favourites. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I also get inspiration from the mountains that surround my home and the many trails and rivers and beaches that I frequently visit. And the many animals and birds I encounter there, as well.
Are there any future projects or books you’re working on that also draw inspiration from nature?
I have written another story which is about the raven. Another beautiful and mysterious bird that intrigues me. They have significance here on the west coast, which is the basis for the series of books I intend to publish. The owls being the first of hopefully many.
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