Customer Reviews

Crow Boy (Picture Puffins)

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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.

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.

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.

This book encourages compassion and awareness of the natural world. It is a healthy change for children who are used to overstimulating action books and videogames.

This book touches me on a deeper level than other children's books. And I LOVE children's books! I cry often times when I read it. Read it with a box of tissues by your side. I think any child that is exposed to this book will be a more accepting, self-actualized person.

Crow Boy is a memorable story, apparently drawn from the author's childhood memories of Japan. On the first day of school in a small village, a young boy is found hidden beneath the schoolhouse floor. The boy comes to be called "Chibi" for his small stature, and is ostracized by his classmates. After six years, a new teacher notices that Chibi's knowledge and skills distinguish him from the other children. He displays Chibi's artwork and writing on the wall, and admires his knowledge of the natural world. On the day of the school talent show, this teacher introduces Chibi's talent: imitating the voices of crows. Chibi amazes the crowd with many crow calls: baby crows, older crows, alarms, happy calls, and finally a crow on an old tree, near his far-off mountain home. When the teacher explains that Chibi learned this talent during his daily walk from the far side of the mountain, everyone comes to respect and appreciate him.

The loneliness of the excluded child is very well drawn, and the other children's cruel oblivion is believably portrayed as Chibi quietly occupies himself watching the planks of the ceiling and staring out the window. When the children realize their wrong, they weep for their six years of unkindness. But, unlike The Hundred Dresses, this moral lesson comes with an opportunity to make amends: Whenever Chibi returns to the village, carrying his homemade charcoal for sale and buying the small items his family can afford, the children greet him by his new name, "Crow Boy." Crow Boy responds to their overtures with happiness and pride. He has won his place in the community, and he returns home with dignity.

Yashima's evocative drawings complement his spare text beautifully, and while the story's emphasis is on relational dynamics among the children, there is a vivid sense of the outdoors as well as an experience of the cultural environment in this small village. The book is pleasing on many levels and should appeal to younger and older readers.

The book Crow Boy is definately one of, if not my most, favorite childhood book. When I was younger, I borrowed this book numerous times from my school library and read it over and over. I only wish I could put into words how mush I love this book. The artwork of Taro Yashima is absoluetly gorgeous and amazing......I highly recommend this book for all ages

"All your life you have waited for this moment to be free.
Blackbird, fly." -- Paul McCartney, from "Blackbird," 1968

This is a beautiful story I've loved since I was 4. In fact, it might make you cry. Readers are introduced to a boy nicknamed Chibi because he was small. Chibi lived in a rural community in Japan and was found hidden under a floor in the school building. Other children ostracize him and ridicule him. This goes on for 6 years.

Chibi is bound to routine. He eats the same thing for lunch every day, a rice ball wrapped in a radish leaf. Instead of paying attention to lessons, his mind is on the birds outside, a shadow across his desk, another boy's shoulder. His teachers don't seem to take much interest in him either.

That changes during the boy's year in 6th grade. A new teacher arrives. He recognizes something special in Chibi and works to draw him out. He displays Chibi's work on the classroom walls; he makes a point of calling on him in class. He listens to him after class as well. In time, he discovers Chibi's hidden talent - his ability to imitate the sound of crows. He can copy the sound of happy, sad, scolding, older, newborn and distant crows. The new teacher explains to the class that Chibi has learned about crows from coming down the mountain on his daily trek to school.

The other children learn to appreciate Chibi, thanks to their wonderful teacher. He sounds a lot like the kind teacher who made all the difference in the world for another child in the true story of Thank You, Mr. Falker. One kind teacher really CAN make a difference.

"You were only waiting for this moment to arise." -- Paul McCartney, 1968 from "Blackbird"

In retrospect, Chibi sounds like he may have been autistic. He shows extreme sensory sensitivities; he follows a set routine; he might have been marginally verbal and his social skills were nil. This was only exacerbated by his peers' adverse reaction to him. Once they learn of his extraordinary talent, they weep with remorse and regret the way they treated him for 6 years. Chibi and his classmates' feelings are all too real, too available, too readily identifiable and that is what makes this story so effective.

The incredible drawings make a good thing even better. Readers get a feel for rural Japan and the agrarian community in which Chibi lives. Chibi in time smiles; after his demonstration, the other children call him "Crow Boy" as a show of respect. He maintains his pride at all times. This is a truly wonderful book that will touch hearts of all ages. Paul McCartney's classic "Blackbird" could easily underscore this story.

"Blackbird, fly."

Holy cow I love this book! And it completely speaks to kids...about a whole lotta issues. I'll start off with bullying. Chibi is picked on and made fun of because the kids think he is different. He's tiny, fearful, shy, poor, a loner, and lives in the country. It's a teachable moment about negative reactions to what we perceive as different. These are my favorite conversations to have with students because they are such passionate advocates for social justice. There are certain books in my library that get them "worked up" about this issue and Crow Boy is one of them. Any student who raises their hand during this part of discussion - gets called on. It's important that they get to SPEAK about how Chibi is slighted for no good reason. I've also got a good crop of shy students in my school. I know they are tuning in while I'm reading. It's an opportunity to talk about being sensitive and accepting of others. There is a real myth about shy kids. Leadership comes in all forms....sometimes quiet. The issue of friendship is huge in Crow Boy. And it's huge because I talk about it A LOT. Chibi's peers are so caught up in bully behavior that they didn't see his beauty. His inner beauty....he's actually talented and gifted (some might call that individuality) in many different areas. How can the door of friendship be opened when we are so quick to form opinions of one another? And not nice opinions. There is a good ending and the kids in the story experience remorse. -Elementary School Counselor

This story is based on Yashima's experience in his child days in Kagoshima, Japan. The story is "translated" to Japanese, too. I first read Japanese version, and later English version. I love both of them. Taro Yashima is a Japanese proletariat artist, who had exiled to US during the World Wars. He wrote some books staged in his hometown in Japan. He left a son in Japan, who became Oya Nonfiction Prize Awardees, Chihiro Isa. Another son is actor, Mako, or Mako Iwamatsu.