The Crow

by Alison Paul

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.”

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Courtney Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book a 5/5 for the illustrations which are FANTASTIC!! This would be a fun storytelling around Halloween. Picture book.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book neat pictures

[Matthew Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read. It is geniously written and envokes the feeling of Edgar Allen Poe in this particular book. Only, it isn't meant to be scary. I thought everything about this book was done perfectly; a wraparound cover page that has practically 3 different illustrations (front, back and wraparound), the text chosen fit the theme incredibly well, and the rhyming parts put it over the top. Her illustrations are collages done with hand-dyed paper (with ornate patterns none the less)and, again, it matches the feel of the book well because it doesn't allow for too much fear to get involved. I'm not sure where this book has its place in an educational curriculum, but either way, it should be read to students for it's pure entertainment value.

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the style of the illustrations but thought that maybe they moved too much across the page. For some reason, the connection between the imagined pirate, wizard, thief, and king and the crow was a little difficult to get, especially since the cover announces that it's a crow and pictures make it look very crow like. I liked the text, but thought that it might be difficult to read and a little long to get to the point. I think I'd need to read this one aloud and get some more reactions to get a better overall evaluation of the book. It's certainly a fun concept though.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

One late night, a girl notices a crow outside her window and she then lets her imagination get a little carried away. She thinks of bandits and several other characters and scares herself. Overall, the story is about how your imagination can be the scariest thing during the night. Some young readers might find the book scary, but it's really not meant to be at all. I quite enjoyed it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so in love in the concept of this book, and characters of this book, and even the illustrations of this book, but somehow it is not quite perfect. The poem is fun to read out loud, and it does slightly evoke the feeling of Poe, but I guess I was hoping for that killer refrain as in Poe's original.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating collage and haunting yet hip verse demonstrate the fear and folly of fleeting first impressions.

Listen to our chat about this on our JustOneMoreBook.com Children's Book Podcast:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2007/0...

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Alison Paul's ode to Poe...

Such a cute book. I had to pick it up because my daughter likes crows and says "Caw, caw!" when she hears them.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations but the junior update of "The Raven" fell a little flat.

[Emerson and Theodore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is cool. Not age appropriate for our little guy but very good for adult.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ode to Poe's crow.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crows aren't so scary after all...

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations. I love a children's book that isn't the typical cutesy thing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story - nice read aloud.