Saturday, January 8, 2022

Crowbar: The Smartest Bird in the World by Jean Craighead George with Luke and Twig George, Illustrated by Wendell Minor - ESSENTIAL

Crowbar: The Smartest Bird in the World
by Jean Craighead George with Luke and Twig George, Illustrated by Wendell Minor.
PICTURE BOOK. Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins), 2021. $19. 9780060002572 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A young boy finds an abandoned baby crow and takes it home, convincing his mother who works in a bird rescue center that this is a good idea and that he can do it. The baby crow survived, and although he lived outside in a tree - and could survive on his own, he still felt like part of the family. The boy named him Crowbar and taught him to say hello - which he used to get food from surprised folks having picnics. His grandpa is sure that crow is up to no good. But the Crow amazed everyone when he used a can lid to help him use the slide like the kids. However, this crow is meant to be wild, and will need to learn from other crows how to be a wild crow. 

What a great story! I appreciated George's note at the end, explaining that the boy could only keep the crow because of his mother's job at the rehabilitation center. She also gives tips for readers on what to do if they find a bird. Also includes some great sources for watching Crows on Youtube and other sites.

Lisa Librarian

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