Clever crow sits high up in his tree, surveying the lay of the land, looking for that shiny something that might make a perfect addition to his nest. Soon he spies Emma's mother's keys, grabs 'em, flies up to his tree. Now what can Emma do? Digging deep into her box of secret stuff, she finds something even shinier than the keys, something she'll use to call that bird's bluff. But crow won't give up easily.... Nimble rhymes and mischevious art make this a shiny prize of a book.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
A pestering crow meets his match in this sprightly takeoff on Aesop's fable "The Fox and the Grapes." Outside Emma Wetherby's house, a black crow fond of shiny things "watches from his hidden limb,/ Laughs 'cause folks can't fly like him./ 'Haw! Haw! Haw!' " When Emma's mom leaves her car keys on the porch, Crow swoops down and nabs them, laughing all the while. Then Emma reasons, "Crow is smart, but I am smarterA/ Gonna teach that bird to barter./ 'How? How? How?' " Emma finds the answer in her box of treasuresAan alluring, shiny gum-wrapper ball which she offers to Crow. He drops the keys, but while Emma and her mom drive away triumphantly, the crow flies through an open window and snatches a prize from Emma's dresser, her mirror. DeFelice's (The Dancing Skeleton) rhyming verse crackles with a jaunty tone well matched by Schindler's (Don't Fidget a Feather) colored-pencil-on-parchment illustrations. The alternating perspectives in these scenes deftly move from Crow's aerial view, to Emma's or her mom's earthbound vantage points, accentuating the actions and counteractions in this game of wits. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3AWhen Clever Crow steals Mama's car keys, it's up to Emma to out-trick the trickster. This simple plot (whose denouement suggests a sequel) is told in rhythmic verse with a "Haw! Haw! Haw!" refrain. The text is pleasingly catchy with perfect rhyme (and even works as rap, which some readers will be bound to try); but the story often seems sacrificed to the rhythm. Tension is lost in the unflagging meter, and articles and initial pronouns are often (but not systematically) left out if they don't fit the beat. While the color-pencil drawings exhibit excellent perspective and layout, their subjects are a bit stiff. Yet, Crow's postures and the beat of the text have an undeniable "oh so clever" energy that a strong reader might carry off aloud. Perhaps not a first purchase, this book will still find its fans.ANina Lindsay, Vista School, Albany, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A definite MUST HAVE for any Toddlers bookshelf.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Clever Crow (Hardcover)
Clever Crow is clever indeed. Emma is on the chase and so is my child's imagination. This is a must have for any toddler's bookshelf. We first came across it at our public library and this has been our favorite since. Watch your child's expressions as you sound out the crow's voice going through this intriguing rhyming tale. How fun and exciting! The illustrations are superb! We now have an under the bed box full of shiny treasures! Be sure to read it and find out why! This would make a great gift! We rate this book 5 Stars and more!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Clever Crow (Hardcover)
This is a wonderful book to share with your child. My daughter and I have fun together reading this book, I read the story and she recites the "Haw, Haw, Haw" sounds - She loves it! The ryhmes flow well and the imagination runs wild. It is a must have...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clever book,
By BostonSooner (Marblehead, MA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Clever Crow (Hardcover)
This is such an intelligent children's book. The kids enjoy listening to it, and I enjoy reading it. The rhyme lends it to be a read aloud - the pictures are gorgeous. I am not sure why it is out of print. It was this book that brought my attention to the power of marketing. I found this book in a bargain section - a true gem that is better than some better known books. The story has an interesting plot to boot. I hope this book returns to the mainstream.
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