Merry Christmas, Merry Crow [Paperback]

Kathi Appelt (Author), Jon Goodell (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

A broken chain, a piece of string, a bottle cap . . . To most people, these things are useless trash. But to a clever crow, they're just what he needs to create a special surprise--a beautiful Christmas tree that everyone can treasure.
Told in jaunty rhyme by Kathi Appelt and lavishly illustrated by Jon Goodell, this heartwarming story of people brought together by a very unexpected artist has all the makings of a Christmas classic.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Shortly before Christmas, a crow flies about the city, finds odd little bits of trash and treasure, and carries them away for some mysterious purpose. As the bird makes one trip after another, viewers see different children and adults going about their business: entering shops, strolling through the zoo, watching a parade, walking to church, listening to carolers, and sometimes looking at the crow. Observant children will recognize some of the people when they reappear in the background of the final double-page spread featuring the town tree. Focusing on the crow and its finds, Appelt's rhyming text provides the strong, spare framework of this satisfying picture book while leaving plenty of space for the illustrator to create the setting and the mood. Goodell takes full advantage of the opportunity, using oil and acrylic to paint a series of beautiful scenes showing many facets of a town in full pre-Christmas bustle. Studded with intriguing details, these narrative pictures lead up to a quiet yet satisfying climax. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Appelt's rhyming text provides the strong, spare framework of this satisfying picture book while leaving plenty of space for the illustrator to create the setting and the mood. Goodell takes full advantage of the opportunity, using oil and acrylic to paint a series of beautiful scenes showing many facets of a town in full pre-Christmas bustle. Studded with intriguing details, these narrative pictures lead up to a quiet yet satisfying climax."--Booklist

 

"The simple story exudes the warmth of the holidays on each page."--Children's Literature 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (September 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152060839
• ISBN-13: 978-0152060831
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,638,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Janet Townsend, a Librarian, September 27, 2005

By 

Janet Townsend "Janet Townsend, a Librarian" (Hayward, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merry Christmas, Merry Crow (Hardcover)

"Wind's a blowin,' Sky's a snowin,' Where's this feathered fellow goin'?" So begins this delightful book set at Christmastime. It is a whimsical tale of a crow who flies around town gathering bits and pieces of Christmas decorations to dress up a tree on the outskirts of town. There is some truth to this book. Crows never migrate far and are usually seen in American towns and rural areas during the Christmas season. Also, crows really are attracted to shiny objects such as foil wraps and keys. The rhymns of this book flow along beautifully and are never forced. The artwork is beautiful as well and evokes the feeling of an old-fashioned town all dressed up for Christmas and lit by the moon. Of course, at the end, the townsfolk are gathered around this beautiful Christmas tree decorated by the crow.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A charming story!, October 10, 2005

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Merry Christmas, Merry Crow (Hardcover)

In Merry Christmas, Merry Crow by Kathi Appelt there is an unlikely gift giver (a Crow) who swoops down and around town to collect abandoned 'bits and pieces' of 'this and that.' What is Crow doing, collecting pieces of string, a button, a strand of tinsel and berries from a tree? The Crow has a special gift for the town and it's absolutely perfect!

Merry Christmas, Merry Crow is a charming story of giving, told in rhyme, which will attract small children and encourage them to enter into the mystery of the Crow's hunt to make the perfect gift.

The illustrations are beautiful and speak of a time past in our society. I believe that this ability to impart yesteryear adds immensely to the book.

Armchair Interviews says: Merry Christmas, Merry Crow is a wonderful addition to a children's Christmas story library.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bedtime-Book Reader, December 21, 2011

By 

Katie Powers (Midwest) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Merry Christmas, Merry Crow (Paperback)

This was our 2nd "Merry Crow" book and bought as a gift to give to another, because our family enjoys it so much. It should be a Christmas Classic it's so sweet and has such a lovely message. It's a quick read, has great rhythm, and beautiful illustrations. We LOVE Merry Crow!