Review by Booklist Review
What can a crow do when he is alone? In this picture book, inventive Crow literally makes a friend, propping up sticks into a graceful, birdlike shape and adding leaves for wings and a crabapple head. But the wind blows, destroying his homemade companion. Next, Crow makes a life-size bird from snow, with sticks for wings and seeds for eyes. But the sun shines, slowly melting his snowy creation. Finally, Crow befriends another crow, builds a nest, and soon welcomes hatchlings. Now Crow has a family, and his story has a happy ending. Simplicity is the keynote of this engaging picture book that, like others in the I Like to Read series, works equally well as a choice for beginning readers. The spare, pleasing text uses sentences of no more than seven words. In the well-composed ink-and-watercolor artwork, the unexpectedly brilliant hues of Crow's feathers glow against the many white backgrounds. A short, satisfying read-aloud choice with an inviting jacket and pictures that show up beautifully from a distance.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Rainbow-hued Crow is lonely. He makes a friend out of sticks and leaves, but the wind blows it away. When winter comes, Crow tries again with snow. Sweetly, Crow tries to shade his friend from the sun with a fallen leaf, but the sun melts it. Finally, Crow hears another bird cawing and makes a real friend with another lovely rainbow-hued crow. They make a nest. When spring arrives, Crow and his friend make a family. Colorful Crow and the elements of nature, rendered in watercolors, stand out against a white background, making the artwork noteworthy. With so few actual words, the illustrations help tell the story. VERDICT Another excellent addition to a series that combines a picture book format with easy reader controlled vocabulary.-Mindy Whipple, West Jordan Library, UT © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Crow (appealingly but inexplicably rainbow-colored) builds a friend from sticks and leaves, then from snow, only to have nature destroy them ("Crow is alone again"). Third time's the charm: Crow meets a feathered friend, builds a nest, and raises a family. Spare, repetitive text; vibrant pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations; and spacious white backgrounds give the story maximum impact while supporting early readers. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Crow is alone. How will he make a friend? A lonely crow tries to make a friend, literally. As the seasons progress, the plans change. In the fall, he uses sticks for a body, a crabapple for a head, and leaves for wings. But when the wind blows, his friend is gone. In winter, he piles snow, adds a seed for an eye, and sticks for wings. But when the sun shines, his friend is gone. When spring comes along, a bird calls, and this time Crow finds a real friend. Together they build a nest, and come summer, Crow has a family. Children taking their first steps into reading will easily follow the simple text on each page. The illustrations complement the text brilliantly. Done in ink and watercolors, an iridescent crow, his colorful creations, and his final true friend stand out against a white background. Readers will appreciate Crow's resourcefulness as he creates his friends and will not need any prompting when they read the "Oh no!" text as the wind blows the fall creation to pieces or the sun melts the winter creation. The overall message of the importance of friends and family is sweet but not cloying. A brightly illustrated story perfect for the very beginner reader. (Early reader. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
