Clever Crow

LoveReading4Kids Says

February 2024 Non-Fiction Book of the Month

Another of Walker’s renowned Nature Storybooks, which combine a beautiful picture book with genuine learning opportunities from the accessibly presented information, this has striking multimedia, atmospheric pictures from the Kate Greenaway shortlisted artist, which really capture the enigmatic and even slightly sinister creature that is the Crow.

Beautifully and accurately rendered images of eggs and full-grown birds from the crow family adorn the end pages, but the internal spreads focus on the anything but ‘common’ crow. The text is well designed (and the typefaces are explained to the reader at the end of the book alongside the helpful index) to distinguish the fascinating factual snippets from the lyrical descriptions.

We learn that crows have a very big brain and are capable of learning, remembering, and teaching their young. Their behaviour has adapted to take advantage of human farming and they work and live together for the greater good of the species. But most surprising perhaps is their capacity to play!

A fascinating introduction to a bird that may not have a beautiful song or lovely plumage but certainly repays careful observation – perhaps making use of the great suggestions provided for class or home.

Joy Court

Find This Book In