Clever Crow

Read and Wonder

by Chris Butterworth, Olivia Lomenech Gill (Illustrator)

For young bird-watchers and enthusiasts of the natural world comes a beautiful, eye-opening picture book about the familiar but ever-surprising crow.

Crows may not have flashy feathers, beautiful songs, or fancy flying skills, but if a crow looks at you with its small, round eye, you can be sure that it’s thinking, as these birds have very big brains. Did you know that crows will use a stick to poke into a crevice to tease out tasty bugs? Or that they like to play like kids by tumbling down a snowy roof? Or that they remember where they hide their food—but sometimes only pretend to bury a treat to fool other birds? Original and accessible, with Chris Butterworth’s welcoming text and gorgeous, expressive artwork from Olivia Lomenech Gill, Clever Crow is sure to generate newfound respect for these unassuming creatures that young readers come across every day.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Nonfiction, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

CHRIS BUTTERWORTH is the author of more than seventy nonfiction books for children on such diverse subjects as influenza, Antarctic exploration, and Ancient Egypt. "A sea horse looks as magical as a mermaid," she says, "but sea horses really exist. We need to know as much as we can about them, so we can protect them."

Reviews

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational. I loved the endpapers and illustrations.

[madeline ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd say this is great for LITTLE littles. Pre-K to Kinder, maybe even younger if you have a particularly precocious child interested in birds.

[G. Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crows just flap steadily on (like me)

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers with even a passing interest in birds will be drawn to the narrative nonfiction of Chris Butterworth's, Clever Crow. Much is also communicated wordlessly, through Olivia Gill’s striking mixed media illustrations. Beginning with the book's eye-catching cover featuring a glossy crow examining a bright red object cluthed in its claw, we can see that crows are inquisitive. A book's endpapers often entice the reader to enter, with a promise of what’s to follow, and those of Clever Crow do not disappoint. Front endpapers treat us to life-size, full-color depictions of the eggs of eighteen different birds in the corvid family, comprising crows, jays, ravens and magpies. Back endpapers show the same eighteen birds as mature adults. On the title page, the careful observer sees a nest filled with beautiful blue eggs, as well other random items including a bottle cap, button, clothespin, bit of metal chain, and we learn that crows are collectors. Dynamic full-bleed illustrations rendered in earth tones aptly depict the world from a crow’s-eye-view. Creative variation in font sizes present information in layers of complexity, making this a book that can grow along with its reader. The final full-page spread depicting a flock of crows in flight invites young citizen scientists to Learn More About Crows, not with a typical list of further resources, but by contemplating the set of questions it presents. Despite its picture book format, Clever Crow can be used by young researchers, as it includes a simple index tucked into the corner of its last page. This engaging book may well instill a lifelong appreciation of these intelligent, playful, and resourceful birds. Recommended for ages 4 to 9 by the SEPA Book Reviewers.

[Wendy Poteet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank You to YABC and Candlewick Press for the opportunity to review this book.
What I Loved:
It's hard to choose which is more delightful, the illustrations or the text. The creators included images and facts on varieties of crows and their eggs, including rooks, ravens, jays, and magpies. Also included are where to find them, what they sound like, how they fly, what they eat, and why they are called clever.
There are also follow-up activities in the back for kids to observe and record crows and their actions.
What Left Me Wanting More:
The book did not touch on documented interactions with humans, such as an exchange of goods, or their propensity for shiny objects. It also fell short in discussing environmental issues crows may face and how we can help them succeed.
Final Verdict:
Cleaver Crow is a great factual read with gorgeous illustrations that is approachable for kids and enjoyable for adults. It falls a little short in information for readers at the upper end of its age recommendation but was thoroughly enjoyed by my 3-year-old!

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Crows are clever birds. Very clever birds.”

I bought this non-fiction children's book for my nephews.
In a space of a few pages, Chris Butterworth spreads a few facts about crows and corvids. If I regret the word crow is used as a generic term (even if it’s often the case) I loved the fact chosen, and how they can rehabilitate this group of birds for the general public. From pests –or even bad omen birds– they become smart, friendly, playful. I enjoyed that choice a lot.
The other true strength of this book is the illustrations. I love Olivia Lomenech Gill’s work and that’s how I learnt about this little book in the first place. Once again, her work is so gorgeous that I could just open the book on my coffee table to watch the arts again and again (which probably means that I will buy another copy for my nephews and keep this one…).
Clever Crow is a nice gift to do to young nature lovers, but also to crows (and corvids) lovers who would want to enjoy the illustrations.

4.5/5

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Olivia Lomenech Gill graces this book with the most gorgeous pictures of a bird many consider dull. And the clear, open, encouraging, assessable text (in several different sizes!) gives just enough information to tempt the reader to learn more. The thrust of the book is of course that crows are clever (tool users, in fact) but also playful, curious and crafty. There is a cool index at the back to share with kids how to use an index, too. A winner and a British import via Candlewick Press. The endpapers are stunning - first all the eggs of many international corvids and then the pictures of the adult birds, all identified from the Alpine Clough ("chuff") to the American Crow to the Rook. A perfect book to turn kids into crow enthusiasts.

[Brenda Kahn]

This clever picture book can be read in several ways. There are three bits of information on each page in varying font sizes. The largest introduces information simplistically. As the font size grows smaller, the information is more specific. It's a nice introduction to the fascinating corvid family and the illustrations are utterly gorgeous. While the title page illustration of a nest includes objects as well as eggs, no where does the text convey crows' propensity for "stealing" shiny objects or leaving gifts.

[Isabella Walp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever Crow is a fun and interesting book about crows. It shows how smart and clever these birds are. Crows can use tools, solve problems, and even have fun sliding down snowy roofs! The pictures in the book are beautiful and show crows in their natural surroundings. They help tell the story about how clever and amazing these birds can be. The book is great for kids who like animals and want to learn more about the world around them. Clever Crow is perfect for young readers who want to discover how cool and smart crows are!

[Ms. B · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a reason we call crows clever. Find out why and more in this picture book that's for everybody who appreciates a good picture book. Whether you are a fan of crows or not, this is a book worth checking out. Make sure to read all of text; big, medium and small. Read the author's note on the verso to learn even more. I know I learned a few things. Ravens and blue jays are crows. Crows have big brains and may be the smartest of all birds.

[Donna Marx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible non-fiction picture book about crows, a bird that most of us ignore. The illustrator is a master at drawing birds! I love the graduated size of the fonts and the increasing complexity of the text. You could easily use this to educate even the youngest child about this bird, by reading only the simplest text. I learned so much and will now look at crows with more admiration.

[Isabella Deehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever Crow by Christ Butterworth is a beautiful story that shows the intelligence and distinct characteristics of crows. This children's book holds clear and engaging illustrations that capture and help tell the story of the birds. It shares curiosity and problem-solving ideas, with so much detailed information and aspects of nature. Overall, this story is educational, inspiring, and charming for young readers.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collage illustrations help show facts about crows. I wish there had been even more facts in the book! But I think crows are cool, scary smart and interesting. This is a great one for the younger set who are interested in birds, or animals they may see everyday. Perfect for classroom or story time about crows.

[Brandi Rae Fong]

Fine for one on one reading with young bird enthusiasts (pre-k). The illustrations are okay, and some of the bird facts were interesting, but as a whole the text could have been a bit clearer in explaining that the birds mentioned are all part of the crow (corvid) *family*. There's been several picture books lately about crows, this one wasn't my favorite.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Crows are perhaps the smartest of all birds and they have a large family. These illustrations with recycled materials and the black birds draw attention to the crow's world. Full of facts and with an index

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great early reader introduction to the Corvid species! Very easy to unerstand and the illustrations match their subject well: stark, but striking.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Candlewick Press for the digital review copy.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple introduction to members of the Corvid family of birds. The front endpapers depict 18 eggs from various corvids, and the rear endpapers depict the matching adult bird. The large illustrations were rendered in mixed media. Great for young bird enthusiasts.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture-book style informational text about crows, more generally, the corvid family of birds. Very well written; includes a simple index for reference and teaching purposes. Could easily be used for a storytime.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: This nonfiction picture book teaches us about a crow's intelligence, habitat, and how many different types there are of this amazing species.

Comments: This book is illustrated with mixed media and written in verse.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a brilliant book for younger readers! Beautiful illustrations and quirky text, and such great facts about crows, a bird that you see everywhere around you in daily life and never really give a second thought about - but i will from now on. I really enjoyed reading this!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the book I was fascinated that Blue Jays were considered crows. BUT then I googled it and they are actually just a part of the same family, Corvidae. I wish they would've put that in the book as well.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book that touches on the traits of crafty corvids, from their intellect to their ways to play! Clever crows, indeed!

[Reilly K. Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

I <3 crows!

Not my fave non-fic picture book, but it had lots of interesting tidbits and illustrations!

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating details about clever, crafty crows!

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I absolutely loved this one! Incredible illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informational book put in the form of a picture book. I didn't know there were so many species. It explains how they are so smart.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated. Interesting facts will enhance appreciation for these amazing birds.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent picture book about crows: it has just the right balance of text on the page and interesting information about crows with beautiful artwork.

[Audrey Sauble · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great nonfiction introduction to the crow family.

[Christy Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a cute book for a story time about crows! Informative and nice short sentences for new readers and language learners.