Nighttime In Owl's Head: A Bedtime Story

Persis is a teenaged, Barred Owl who lives in a charming neighborhood called Owl's Head, which is lined with big shade trees where there are lots of places for owls to live. It has beautiful old houses of many sizes, shapes and colors. And, there are interesting furry, feathered and human friends for owls to meet. Come along with Persis on a special trip around the neighborhood as she introduces three owlets to some interesting characters on an October night.

This fictitious story takes place in a historic Des Moines neighborhood that really does exist. Persis is named after a young girl, Persis Robertson, who grew up in Owl's Head. Dandy, the dog you'll meet, was a resident of Owl's Head for many years. Cutie the Norwegian Forest Cat didn't live in Owl's Head but she was a real Norwegian Forest Cat who was friends with Dandy.

Others who are mentioned and lived (or currently live) in the neighborhood include Mary Ann Riley, who lived in Owl's Head and was a journalist for the Des Moines Register; Frank Miller, a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist and former Owl's Head resident; and the Archers who have lived in the neighborhood longer than any other residents. Drake, the English Bulldog, is named after a boy who lives in Owl's Head and attends Drake University.