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How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird
For readers 9-12, get up close and personal with a clever corvid and discover the fascinating world of crows.Crows are all around us, shouting from lamp posts, poking around on lawns, and generally taking a bright-eyed interest in everything that moves. But most of us don’t know much about their lives. In How to Know a Crow, award-winning author Candace Savage invites us into the fascinating world of these big, brash, and surprisingly brainy birds.From the moment baby crow Oki pokes her egg tooth through her shell and emerges into her nest, we are her constant companions. As we follow her through the seasons of her life, we explore how crows see and sense the world.With How to Know a Crow, uncover the answers to questions such Do crows have families?How do crows communicate with one another?Do crows play?How can we interact with them?Featuring gorgeous illustrations from Rachel Hudson, How to Know a Crow is a memorable journey of discovery.
120 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2024
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50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 12, 2024
With How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird (October 2024), author Candace Savage skilfully examines all parts of a corvid's life cycle (crow evolution, physiology, neurology, how corvids breed, how they communicate, and yes, there is even a section in How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird about how West Nile Virus is affecting North American crows, and that for North American crows, the mortality rate from West Nile Virus is unfortunately close to 100 percent).
Using a biographical set-up for How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird, Savage textually follows a crow character named Oki from birth to the eventual establishment of her own family and her own fledglings. But while Oki's story is fictional, ALL of the crow specific information presented by both Candace Savage's text and in Rachel Hudson's lushly detailed accompanying artwork is indeed non-fiction, is based on solid biological and ornithological facts (so that How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird is packed with a plethora of interesting and enlightening corvid factoids, including nuggets of knowledge such as that crows have belly scars similar to human belly buttons, that their brains contain about as many neurones as a monkey's brain does, and that corvids, that crows are therefore considered one of the smartest, on of the most clever species of birds). And while I was at first a bit worried that How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird might perhaps feel a bit artificial and childish with that personalised one specific crow biographical fiction of Oki, no indeed, both my adult reading self and also my inner child have absolutely adored the combination of Savage's text and Hudson's images and also hugely appreciate that How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird does not dumb down scientific concepts (but yes, I also am pleased that Candace Savage equally does not make her presented text too complex for younger readers either, that even with the inclusion of scientific terms and a few bits of ornithological jargon, How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird reads easily enough for younger readers, albeit even young adults and adults interested in corvids should find How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird interesting, engaging and enlightening, and that for me, that in my opinion, How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird is thus nicely suitable for anyone from about the age of nine or so onwards).
Delightful ands always my reading interest retaining, my and indeed pretty much all encompassing five star rating for what Savage has penned and what Rachel Hudson has illustrated in How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird is in fact and actually made even more rock solid by Candace Savage's excellent author's note, her detailed glossary and the fact that both book and online suggestions for further reading and study are being provided in How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird (which for me is something academically essential and as such also the icing on an already totally superb reading cake). And although I do kind of wish that aside from Hudson's colourfully realistic artwork, there would also be some photographs of North American crows (and perhaps also of other corvid species from around the world) included in How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird, this is really and truly such a minor and insignificant little thing and will not in any way negatively affect my absolute enjoyment of How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird and my five star rating.
Using a biographical set-up for How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird, Savage textually follows a crow character named Oki from birth to the eventual establishment of her own family and her own fledglings. But while Oki's story is fictional, ALL of the crow specific information presented by both Candace Savage's text and in Rachel Hudson's lushly detailed accompanying artwork is indeed non-fiction, is based on solid biological and ornithological facts (so that How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird is packed with a plethora of interesting and enlightening corvid factoids, including nuggets of knowledge such as that crows have belly scars similar to human belly buttons, that their brains contain about as many neurones as a monkey's brain does, and that corvids, that crows are therefore considered one of the smartest, on of the most clever species of birds). And while I was at first a bit worried that How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird might perhaps feel a bit artificial and childish with that personalised one specific crow biographical fiction of Oki, no indeed, both my adult reading self and also my inner child have absolutely adored the combination of Savage's text and Hudson's images and also hugely appreciate that How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird does not dumb down scientific concepts (but yes, I also am pleased that Candace Savage equally does not make her presented text too complex for younger readers either, that even with the inclusion of scientific terms and a few bits of ornithological jargon, How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird reads easily enough for younger readers, albeit even young adults and adults interested in corvids should find How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird interesting, engaging and enlightening, and that for me, that in my opinion, How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird is thus nicely suitable for anyone from about the age of nine or so onwards).
Delightful ands always my reading interest retaining, my and indeed pretty much all encompassing five star rating for what Savage has penned and what Rachel Hudson has illustrated in How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird is in fact and actually made even more rock solid by Candace Savage's excellent author's note, her detailed glossary and the fact that both book and online suggestions for further reading and study are being provided in How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird (which for me is something academically essential and as such also the icing on an already totally superb reading cake). And although I do kind of wish that aside from Hudson's colourfully realistic artwork, there would also be some photographs of North American crows (and perhaps also of other corvid species from around the world) included in How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird, this is really and truly such a minor and insignificant little thing and will not in any way negatively affect my absolute enjoyment of How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird and my five star rating.
November 5, 2024
What a sweet book about crows. It shares info about crows by telling the story of a young crow as it ages and leaves its family. As a person who is fascinated by these intelligent birds, I found it delightful and now I feel more confident in my plan to befriend a
Crow.
Crow.
October 23, 2024
This book touches on all aspects of the crow species and life-cycle, including evolution, physiology, neurology, behavior, communication, breeding, and even their presence in popular art. There is also a section on how West Nile Virus effects North American crows. The author tells the story through a narrative following a crow character Oki from birth to the eventual establishment of her own family and fledglings. Packed with tons of cool crow facts, including the fact that crows have belly scars similar to belly buttons and their brains contain about as many neurons as a monkey. I liked how the book did not dumb down complex scientific concepts, including information about such fancy words as a “nidophallium caudolaterale” (the structure in a crow’s forebrain similar to a human’s cerebral cortex, that deals with more analytical thinking, creation, and learning).
What I really loved about this book, especially as an academic science librarian who thinks a lot about how scientific research and knowledge connects with wider information ecosystems, is how the author sourced most of her information from two crow behavioral ecologists and a professional ornithologist (respectively, Dr. Carolee Caffrey, Dr. Anne Barrett, and Dr. Kevin J. McGowan). All three of these scientists have published original research in their field, and I could really tell reading the book that the information was well sourced from experts in crow biology. Candace Savage did a wonderful job of translating this scientific knowledge into an accessible story that all ages can enjoy and learn from. The author also makes many nods to the scientific contributions to her book, like this small aside on pg. 70: “These stories are not made up. They are based on careful observations by scientists who study marked birds. It’s a fact! Crows are amazing!” I found this especially cool because it helps young readers begin to contextualize the information they are reading in a wider system of scientific knowledge production.
The book doesn’t just describe the life of a crow, but also tackles remarkably nuanced and rich discussions around divisions between scientific and creative inquiry. For example, they wonder why some scientists may “shy away” from considering how an adolescent animal such as a crow may “feel” while playing, an important activity that prepares them for the physical and intellectual demands of adult life. Closing the discussion, they remark that “refusing to consider these questions sets people apart from other species and doesn’t recognize that we are all buds and branches on the great tree of life. For crows, the space of our Not Knowing is filled with their inner life. Just because we can’s share it doesn’t mean it isn’t real”. I wish there were more non-fiction books for young people like this out here: thoughtfully and creatively written with a commitment to sourcing expert scientific knowledge, and with a flair for fun and engaging narratives. This kind of literature is extremely important in bridging the scientific community with a younger audience, some of whom may become scientists. Regardless, everyone deserves high-quality and accessible scientific knowledge! Includes an index, topical chapters, and themed factual asides with supplementary information. Pictures on almost every page. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
What I really loved about this book, especially as an academic science librarian who thinks a lot about how scientific research and knowledge connects with wider information ecosystems, is how the author sourced most of her information from two crow behavioral ecologists and a professional ornithologist (respectively, Dr. Carolee Caffrey, Dr. Anne Barrett, and Dr. Kevin J. McGowan). All three of these scientists have published original research in their field, and I could really tell reading the book that the information was well sourced from experts in crow biology. Candace Savage did a wonderful job of translating this scientific knowledge into an accessible story that all ages can enjoy and learn from. The author also makes many nods to the scientific contributions to her book, like this small aside on pg. 70: “These stories are not made up. They are based on careful observations by scientists who study marked birds. It’s a fact! Crows are amazing!” I found this especially cool because it helps young readers begin to contextualize the information they are reading in a wider system of scientific knowledge production.
The book doesn’t just describe the life of a crow, but also tackles remarkably nuanced and rich discussions around divisions between scientific and creative inquiry. For example, they wonder why some scientists may “shy away” from considering how an adolescent animal such as a crow may “feel” while playing, an important activity that prepares them for the physical and intellectual demands of adult life. Closing the discussion, they remark that “refusing to consider these questions sets people apart from other species and doesn’t recognize that we are all buds and branches on the great tree of life. For crows, the space of our Not Knowing is filled with their inner life. Just because we can’s share it doesn’t mean it isn’t real”. I wish there were more non-fiction books for young people like this out here: thoughtfully and creatively written with a commitment to sourcing expert scientific knowledge, and with a flair for fun and engaging narratives. This kind of literature is extremely important in bridging the scientific community with a younger audience, some of whom may become scientists. Regardless, everyone deserves high-quality and accessible scientific knowledge! Includes an index, topical chapters, and themed factual asides with supplementary information. Pictures on almost every page. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
December 26, 2024
Adults who are fans of crows and of book-length treatments of crows and other corvids (such as Marzluff's 2012 Gifts of the Crow, and Berndt Heinrich's 1994 Mind of the Raven). This adopts some of the captivating observations about crows and presents it in a format that helps engage young readers.
I have a friend who is a writer of children's literature (Emily Butler), and two of her seven books (some still in mss format) feature corvids, so I was eager to read a nonfiction book about these intelligent creatures.
The book is organized into these chapters, which includes about 40% illustrations to 60% text in small font, which would push this to the upper end of middle grade readers:
Beginnings: a narrative that brings the reader to a nest to observe eggs hatching of some American crows (a species, not a political affiliation). We meet "Oki," who we will watch throughout the book. There are some good overview facts such as information on varieties of crows and the evolution of corvids.
Family Matters: the narrative moves forward three weeks and describes behaviors, habitat (nurturing, protecting, nest building, etc.), and groupings.
A Kindness of Crows: Here we learn what Oki and her siblings eat and how they hunt for food. We also learn more about the development of their bodies as they move from fledgling to adult (but they are still young in this chapter). There is also information about how researchers tag crows to tell them apart. Now we are getting some information about the impressive abilities of crows. They can tell humans apart without tagging us, and they can read intentions.
Bird Brains: The book goes into some detail about the parts of the brain in a crows, such as the NCL (nidopallium caudolateral). Crows have big brains and large forebrains where complex reasoning takes place. They have a lot of nerve cells. It will take Oki and her siblings a while to fully develop the immense cognitive power the fully mature crows possess. I have read about (and watched videos) of crows solving complex problems with tools (so that they could get to food). They are amazing! This chapter outlines some of these tool-making abilities.
Party Animals: In this chapter, Oki and her siblings venture out to interact with other crows, to play. There is a colored text box that names and describes some of the games scientists have observed crows playing. This chapter also describes how crows vocalize and the way scientists are trying to decode the meaning of their sounds.
Life Choices: This chapter discusses migration, roosting, mating and more.
A Season of Dying: My friend, Emily, has a chapter in one of her books about a group of crows holding a funeral for a fallen member of their flock. I was interested to read a nonfictional description of this behavior. It also talks about West Nile Virus and how that is transmitted to crows, which is a concern because they have no natural immunity to it.
A Nest of Her Own: Oki is now a full adult and ready to mate and build her own nest. There is a narrative about Oki's mother being injured by a pellet gun but rescued and returned to her habitat to reunite with Oki. There is an invitation for readers to protect crows and to support organizations that protect them.
The backmatter includes an author's note, glossary, a list of resources, and an index.
I have a friend who is a writer of children's literature (Emily Butler), and two of her seven books (some still in mss format) feature corvids, so I was eager to read a nonfiction book about these intelligent creatures.
The book is organized into these chapters, which includes about 40% illustrations to 60% text in small font, which would push this to the upper end of middle grade readers:
Beginnings: a narrative that brings the reader to a nest to observe eggs hatching of some American crows (a species, not a political affiliation). We meet "Oki," who we will watch throughout the book. There are some good overview facts such as information on varieties of crows and the evolution of corvids.
Family Matters: the narrative moves forward three weeks and describes behaviors, habitat (nurturing, protecting, nest building, etc.), and groupings.
A Kindness of Crows: Here we learn what Oki and her siblings eat and how they hunt for food. We also learn more about the development of their bodies as they move from fledgling to adult (but they are still young in this chapter). There is also information about how researchers tag crows to tell them apart. Now we are getting some information about the impressive abilities of crows. They can tell humans apart without tagging us, and they can read intentions.
Bird Brains: The book goes into some detail about the parts of the brain in a crows, such as the NCL (nidopallium caudolateral). Crows have big brains and large forebrains where complex reasoning takes place. They have a lot of nerve cells. It will take Oki and her siblings a while to fully develop the immense cognitive power the fully mature crows possess. I have read about (and watched videos) of crows solving complex problems with tools (so that they could get to food). They are amazing! This chapter outlines some of these tool-making abilities.
Party Animals: In this chapter, Oki and her siblings venture out to interact with other crows, to play. There is a colored text box that names and describes some of the games scientists have observed crows playing. This chapter also describes how crows vocalize and the way scientists are trying to decode the meaning of their sounds.
Life Choices: This chapter discusses migration, roosting, mating and more.
A Season of Dying: My friend, Emily, has a chapter in one of her books about a group of crows holding a funeral for a fallen member of their flock. I was interested to read a nonfictional description of this behavior. It also talks about West Nile Virus and how that is transmitted to crows, which is a concern because they have no natural immunity to it.
A Nest of Her Own: Oki is now a full adult and ready to mate and build her own nest. There is a narrative about Oki's mother being injured by a pellet gun but rescued and returned to her habitat to reunite with Oki. There is an invitation for readers to protect crows and to support organizations that protect them.
The backmatter includes an author's note, glossary, a list of resources, and an index.
November 5, 2024
A nonfiction text following a backyard nest, How to Know a Crow teaches us about the social behaviors and habits of crows, through the story of a tagged bird family. Savage writes the text in a familiar way, attempting to make their story engaging and interesting. There are good graphics and a few fun tricks (pages turned sideways, graphical daigrams, etc. The story is, however, a little dense. Without much white space, you really have to want to study crows. Savage does a good job of making them interesting, but this is a pretty detailed middle grade read.
Read as a nomination in the nonfiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Read as a nomination in the nonfiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
November 25, 2024
A comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about crows. Savage brings readers up close and personal with immaculate detail, opportunities for engagement for the reader, and plenty of humor. This text would be great supplementary text within a classroom, and generally, a great book to have in a home library - fascinating and practical information on a bird commonly found in most regions around the world. Beautifully illustrated, this book contains several layers of engagement, a delight for readers and bird-lovers of all ages. Highly recommend!
December 11, 2024
This illustrated informational books about crows, specifically American Crows, looks at a crows life-cycle and how close knit crow families are and how they work together in building nest and caring for nestlings and fledglings. The book examines how intelligent crows are as well, and the biggest risk to American crows is the West-Nile virus which is nearly 100% fatal to crows. The book has crow lab boxes in each chapter and a glossy of terms and bibliography of books and websites. A fascinating book for children 8-12 years-old, especially for those who like birds and especially crows.
January 30, 2025
Candace Savage writes science well. This book explores the biology and life of crows. By focusing on an individual female crow, starting at the time of hatching and passing through years of maturing and living and even laying her own eggs and raising the chicks, this book gives a close look at the life of one of the world’s most intelligent birds. It also discusses diseases like West Nile Virus that has devastated bird populations.
November 12, 2024
Award-winning author Candace Savage juxtaposes fiction and non-fiction material about covids.
An entertaining story and very informative with gorgeous illustrations by Rachel Hudson. We join Oki from birth through the seasons of her life and learn about communication, interactions, mating, play, and intelligence. Great books.
An entertaining story and very informative with gorgeous illustrations by Rachel Hudson. We join Oki from birth through the seasons of her life and learn about communication, interactions, mating, play, and intelligence. Great books.
November 20, 2024
A fascinating little book! I learned quite a bit about crows, how they grow, make families, and fight disease. They are very susceptible to West Nile virus - there is no vaccine and almost 100% fatal to crows!
December 19, 2024
I've become intrigued by crows lately and I thought I'd start with picture books and move up. This book was recommended in one of the picture books. It is a not-too-long but very informative book about crows, covering hatching, families, habits, nesting, etc. The illustrations are lovely!
October 26, 2025
Chill book about crow which kind of scared me about the severed heads and stuff. Mostly normal, explains about the crows and their predators and about their normal lives and stuff. Nothing much, just a chill book. 4 star.
December 15, 2024
Best book I’ve read this year!
February 10, 2025
Great nonfiction title.
February 10, 2025
five stars. crows are cool
November 6, 2025
By mixing facts with an imagined storyline, we are able to get an inside picture of the life cycle of a crow. I am always impressed by the intelligence of these birds.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews