Owl couldn't sleep -- not while the bees were buzzing, the crows croaking, the starlings chittering, and the jays creaming. Every time there seemed to be some peace and quite, someone else landed in the hollow tree and woke Owl up again. Would Owl ever get any rest? 
Pat Hutchins's simple, cumulative story ends with a surprising twist that will send children off to sleep laughing.

 When poor Owl's attempts at sleep are constantly thwarted by other animals' sounds, he pays his colleagues back in kind and enjoys having the last screech. Ages 2-5.