The Crow (A Not-So-Scary Story) [Hardcover]

Alison Paul (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Here is a not so scary story about a girl who sees a crow outside her window—and what can happen when you let your imagination get the better of you. Kids will find this spooky story compelling and adults may recognize it as a fun and creative riff on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[T[he torn-and-cut paper compositions, in a rich palette...have an attractive balance of image and action." Booklist 10/01/07 Booklist, ALA

"[The] collages favor bold compositions made up of surprisingly delicately patterned components." PW 10/8/07 Publishers Weekly

"[C]lever and engaging...fans of slightly spooky stories will enjoy the tale's atmosphere." SLJ November 2007 School Library Journal

About the Author

Alison Paul was born on a Halloween morning. (Her parents still wonder whether she was a trick or a treat.) She grew up in sunny California and lived a comfortable, snow-free existence until attending the Rhode Island School of Design. She recently graduated, yet she inexplicably remains residing in Providence, Rhode Island.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; First Edition edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618663800
• ISBN-13: 978-0618663804
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,022,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alison Paul was born on a Halloween morning in sunny California.
She came east to attend the Rhode Island School of Design where she wrote her first book, THE CROW, A Not So Scary Story (Houghton Mifflin, -an ode to Edgar Allan Poe's masterpiece THE RAVEN, (but not so scary)!
When she finished illustrating that she thought,
"Hey, maybe I should try to write another book"!
And so she did.
Alison Paul's second book, SUNDAY LOVE (Houghton Mifflin), is a good old-fashioned slapstick cops and robbers romp. Catch Bruno the Burglar in SUNDAY LOVE today!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caw, Caw, Caw!!!!, October 4, 2007

By 

Elicia Castaldi "Elicia" (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crow (A Not-So-Scary Story) (Hardcover)

This charming book will appeal to both boys and girls (and parents too). It's engaging, seek-and-find format makes for a spooky and exciting read. The collage illustrations are really beautiful, and the storyline turns out, as the book suggests- not so scary. I am a big fan of the Crow, and can't wait to see what Alison Paul puts out next! P.S. Great jacket flaps!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars love the book and the illustrations, April 22, 2008

By 

S. Perman "Inspired Painter" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Crow (A Not-So-Scary Story) (Hardcover)

This book is not only a great concept but well executed. I loved it the moment I first saw it. It's an easy read aloud book that kids will want to read again and again. The depth of the illustrations will give the adult reading for the 1st time or the 21st time something new every time. Great work and I can't wait to read the next book from this author/illustrator.

3.0 out of 5 stars O.K. writing, beautiful illustrations, February 4, 2009

By 

Brianne Farley (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Crow (A Not-So-Scary Story) (Hardcover)

The Crow, by Alison Paul, a recent graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. The story, an homage to Poe's "The Raven," tells the story of a child who mistakes a crow for a king, a robber, a wizard and a pirate. Written in verse, the timing is a bit clunky, but the images compensate for the awkward rhythm. Paul cleverly uses the pages to hide and reveal, to flip from reality to dream. The image of the crow in the child's yard lines up with the imagined scene on the next page--it's a match cut. The images themselves are also thoughtfully presented. Paul paints and draws over patterned paper, which peeks through beautifully. It adds a nice depth to the image, and makes you want to examine and re-examine each illustration. Perfect for the kid who reads this book over and over and over and over.

A part of me loves Paul's book for completely self-serving reasons. She is a recent graduate of a school I just applied to, and this is her first book. She is a successful artist in a difficult economy in a near-impossible field to break in to. The field I love. Oh no. Hi, Alison Paul, I'm proud of you...and jealous!

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