________________ CM . . . . Volume XX Number 11. . . .November 15, 2013

cover

Do You Know Crows? (Do You Know?)

Alain M. Bergeron, Michel Quintin & Sampar. Illustrated by Sampar. Translated by Solange Messier.
Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2013.
64 pp., pbk., $9.95.
ISBN 978-1-55455-320-4.

Subject Heading:
Crows-Juvenile literature.

Grades 2-6 / Ages 7-11.

Review by Ian Stewart.

***½ /4

   

excerpt:

American crows are among the most intelligent birds around the world. They have some of the largest brains of all bird species.

In addition to cawing, crows have a repertoire of over 20 different cries. Each one is associated with a different function. Crows are also capable of imitating the cries of other bird species. Some can even reproduce several human words.

 

The cartoony, snarky graphic novel format of Do You Know Crows? will appeal to many students' sense of humour and, along the way, they will learn dozens of interesting facts about the common crow.

internal art     The crow, we can rightfully say, is a much maligned bird. It is not attractive, it's cawing is annoying, it chases away other birds, it eats carrion and gets into our garbage cans. They're really kind of scary. But, we are told, it is a highly developed social creature. Crows live in communities that sometimes number hundreds of birds, and they also care for their young throughout the fall and winter months. This bird has adapted to survive in diverse and often hostile environments. It is a real winner of a species.

      By the end of the book, students may develop a new respect and appreciation for the crow and just might begin to think differently about other creatures that don't fit into a simple paradigm of what is good, useful and beautiful.

Highly Recommended.

Ian Stewart teaches at Cecil Rhodes School in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

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