Crow Boy (Picture Puffins) [Paperback]

Taro Yashima (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up | Series: Picture Puffins

"A shy mountain boy in Japan leaves his home at dawn and returns at sunset to go to the village school. Pictures and text of moving and harmonious simplicity."--Saturday Review. Caldecott Honor Book. Full-color illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 30, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014050172X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140501728
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Literary Criticism & Collections

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accepting Differences, July 31, 2000

By 

Julianne Burke (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crow Boy (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

In a small Japanese village, Chibi, the main character, is an outcast at school because he is different from the other children. Day after day, Chibi is faced with feelings of isolation and rejection. This memorable story presents the reader with a situation that all children experience some time in their life. The realism of this story allowed me to feel close to Chibi and watch him change towards the end. Through the unique illustrations, Taro Yashima was successful in describing the mood and setting. The moral lesson of this story is beautiful, and should be included in every classroom at the beginning of the school year. Through this lesson, the reader learns to develop an awareness for individual differences. This short story will present you with an enjoyable learning experience. I highly recommend this book for any type of reader.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How a shy boy is able to use his talents., May 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crow Boy (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

This is a short book for children about a young boy in a Japanese village who is very shy, quiet, and is kidded by his classmates for being different. The book was a 1956 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a book for children. Children always seem to love this story. Perhaps because many feel shy at times themselves.

Interestingly, I believe that this is the first Caldecott Honor book (as far as I can tell) appearing after the end of World War II depicting a Japanese character. As such, it may have also helped to heal some old wounds from that war. It shows how similar children can be from another culture.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Teachers, February 17, 2005

By 

Lisa Ibrahim (Port of Spain, Trinidad) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crow Boy (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

This story was first read to me by a colleague. A very enlightening and heartwarming story "Crow Boy" forces readers to reflect on the importance of considering individual differences within classroom settings. A child's potential can only be fulfilled when we consider all of their interests and needs. Every teacher must have a personal copy. I am going to get mine.