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A Raven Named Grip: How a Bird Inspired Two Famous Writers, Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe
The endearing true story of how a love of birds connected and inspired two literary giants--Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe.Years before Edgar Allan Poe's raven said "Nevermore," Charles Dickens' pet raven, Grip, was busy terrorizing the Dickens children and eating chipped paint. So how exactly did this one mischievous bird make a lasting mark on literature? From England to the United States and back again, this is the true and fascinating story of how a brilliant bird captured two famous authors' hearts, inspired their writing, and formed an unexpected bond between them. This ingenious slice of history, biography, and even ornithology celebrates the fact that creative inspiration can be found everywhere.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2021
73 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Singer
165 books101 followersMarilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.
In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.
Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.
Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.
In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.
Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.
Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 25, 2024
Definitely more informative rather than an actual story, this children's book paints a unique part of history that I've never even heard about. It's fascinating to know how some writers were inspired, and knowing that Charles Dickens loved both cats and birds just endears me to him even more.
And I thought the parts with Poe were interesting, too, seeing as his name is popular now, but his success never seemed to really benefit him financially. Such is the sad reality of many creative pursuits, but that shouldn't keep us from pursuing them. The Raven, Poe's dark poem, is one of the most popular and well-known poems of today, and that's such a cool legacy to leave behind.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
And I thought the parts with Poe were interesting, too, seeing as his name is popular now, but his success never seemed to really benefit him financially. Such is the sad reality of many creative pursuits, but that shouldn't keep us from pursuing them. The Raven, Poe's dark poem, is one of the most popular and well-known poems of today, and that's such a cool legacy to leave behind.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!
December 31, 2021
This fascinating children's book tells the story of how a real-life raven named Grip, owned by Charles Dickens, became the basis for the talking raven in his novel "Barnaby Rudge" and would later inspire the raven in Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven."
Before he became famous, Poe would write an early review of Barnaby Rudge for the Saturday Evening Post (the 5/1/1841 issue) that commented on the novel's first few installments (it was initially a serial published in Dickens's own magazine, "Master Humphrey's Clock").
You can read that review here: https://www.eapoe.org/works/criticsm/...
Poe specifically praises Dickens's fictional raven twice in the review.
The two men would later meet at Dickens's hotel in Philadelphia when Dickens was on a literary speaking tour of the States.
There are several other fun bits of historical trivia provided in Singer's text and skillfully illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. After I breezed through the book's 32 pages, I found myself going down a rabbit hole of online research to learn more.
(For instance, I found scans of Poe's original Saturday Evening Post review of Barnaby Rudge, and you can easily find photos of Dickens's taxidermied raven, which is now held at the Free Library of Philadelphia!)
This is proof positive that even an adult with a graduate degree in English can learn something from a children's picture book. Much gratitude to the author and the illustrator, and well done!
Before he became famous, Poe would write an early review of Barnaby Rudge for the Saturday Evening Post (the 5/1/1841 issue) that commented on the novel's first few installments (it was initially a serial published in Dickens's own magazine, "Master Humphrey's Clock").
You can read that review here: https://www.eapoe.org/works/criticsm/...
Poe specifically praises Dickens's fictional raven twice in the review.
The two men would later meet at Dickens's hotel in Philadelphia when Dickens was on a literary speaking tour of the States.
There are several other fun bits of historical trivia provided in Singer's text and skillfully illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. After I breezed through the book's 32 pages, I found myself going down a rabbit hole of online research to learn more.
(For instance, I found scans of Poe's original Saturday Evening Post review of Barnaby Rudge, and you can easily find photos of Dickens's taxidermied raven, which is now held at the Free Library of Philadelphia!)
This is proof positive that even an adult with a graduate degree in English can learn something from a children's picture book. Much gratitude to the author and the illustrator, and well done!
March 14, 2022
Very nice story about Dickens' pet raven(s) named Grip, and how Edgar Allan Poe was inspired to write "The Raven" after becoming acquainted with these exceptional Corvids.
I love the illustrations, which give the ravens a bit of an attitude.
Great read!
I love the illustrations, which give the ravens a bit of an attitude.
Great read!
January 12, 2022
A good nonfic about a very obscure topic--Charles Dickens' ravens who inspired both himself and Edgar Allan Poe--but a bit lacking in solid structure and wanting a little more substance or plot.
March 23, 2022
Such a fun book about a little-known element in the intersecting lives of two famous authors - Dicken's pet raven Grip. Fascinating information and well told and entertaining story!
Singer provides additional information about Corvids and Ravens in particular in her back matter along with a wonderful personal story of an encounter with Ravens at the London Zoo.
A great choice for young readers who love animals and birds as well as those who are interested in the lives of these two literary giants. This would make a great story-time book!
Singer provides additional information about Corvids and Ravens in particular in her back matter along with a wonderful personal story of an encounter with Ravens at the London Zoo.
A great choice for young readers who love animals and birds as well as those who are interested in the lives of these two literary giants. This would make a great story-time book!
May 30, 2023
Having just finished Charles Dickens's Barnaby Rudge for the first time this month, I was pleased to see this slim children's book which explores the impact a companion bird would have on the literary works of two giants of the nineteenth century: Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe. A charming book. Includes brief sections about other Grip(p)s, such the named ravens at the Tower of London, and how intelligent ravens are.
February 25, 2022
What a wonderful book! I really enjoyed both the text and the author's note.
March 18, 2022
Excellent children's book about Dickens' beloved ravens and how they inspired Poe's famous poem. Made me want to learn more about the birds.
July 18, 2023
I did not about this literary connection.
November 27, 2022
I have taught college English for decades, and I am fond of both Dickens and Poe. I had no idea that Dickens owned a raven and that Poe saw a painting of Dickens and other family members with their raven (because Dickens traveled with said painting).
Singer explains how Dickens and his family loved keeping ravens as pets, and that one of these ravens where preserved by taxidermy and kept in a collection of Dicken's items so that it is still preserved today.
The illustrations are very good and helped propel me through the narrative.
This is a fun account of how an odd little thing can end up influencing a writer. Dickens' raven was the muse for Poe's poem "The Raven."
Now I know!
This book has been presented to me as a non-fiction book, and technically that is true. It does contain a little additional information about ravens in some back matter, but I think it's more a niche biography of Dickens and Poe, literary figures. I can see young readers of fiction enjoying this story, or readers who love Ravens might be motivated to read something by Dickens and Poe after learning about a bird's connection to these writers--one English and one American.
I can see independent readers ages 10 to 15 enjoying this book.
Singer explains how Dickens and his family loved keeping ravens as pets, and that one of these ravens where preserved by taxidermy and kept in a collection of Dicken's items so that it is still preserved today.
The illustrations are very good and helped propel me through the narrative.
This is a fun account of how an odd little thing can end up influencing a writer. Dickens' raven was the muse for Poe's poem "The Raven."
Now I know!
This book has been presented to me as a non-fiction book, and technically that is true. It does contain a little additional information about ravens in some back matter, but I think it's more a niche biography of Dickens and Poe, literary figures. I can see young readers of fiction enjoying this story, or readers who love Ravens might be motivated to read something by Dickens and Poe after learning about a bird's connection to these writers--one English and one American.
I can see independent readers ages 10 to 15 enjoying this book.
February 27, 2022
A very unique and little-known story about a family pet that inspired characters in two famous classic stories. Charles Dickens' pet raven grip, was beloved by him - but not his family - yet Grip gave Dickens inspiration to appear as a character in 'Barnaby Rudge'. Grip was a faithful, and mischievous bird who chased Dickens' family around the house, but proved a worthy companion - so much, that even in death, continued to a part of Dickens' writing life as he would be preserved in a glass box which was displayed in Dickens' home - AND - while visiting and touring America, Dickens kept a picture of Grip which he proudly displayed in his hotel room. So, when Mr. Dickens was visited by another "soon to be famous" but then struggling writer - Edgar Allan Poe, Grip's picture inspired him to write one of his most famous poems - well, you know the name! This is a very interesting and well-written story - and one that goes to show how sometime obscure objects - or pets can truly be the inspiration for famous writing - or art!
February 1, 2022
I saw this book in the library, and was drawn to it, because I have always loved Poe's poem The Raven. The contents of this book, should really be taught in schools, it was so interesting and I had never heard of any of it!
Dickens kept a pet raven named Grip who terrorized his children. He even named a character in one of his books for the raven. When Poe found out, he wanted to meet Dickens, so Dickens and his wife took a trip to America. Poe and Dickens talked for a long time, about many different subjects. Dickens tale of his pet raven inspired Poe's famous poem. In addition to all of this, ravens at the Tower of London were named for Dickens pet! So much interesting, and downright cool information was in this book.
The illustrations were so well done. Full of movement, life and color. They made this excellent book even better.
If you like Dickens, Poe, poetry, literature or ravens check this book out!
Dickens kept a pet raven named Grip who terrorized his children. He even named a character in one of his books for the raven. When Poe found out, he wanted to meet Dickens, so Dickens and his wife took a trip to America. Poe and Dickens talked for a long time, about many different subjects. Dickens tale of his pet raven inspired Poe's famous poem. In addition to all of this, ravens at the Tower of London were named for Dickens pet! So much interesting, and downright cool information was in this book.
The illustrations were so well done. Full of movement, life and color. They made this excellent book even better.
If you like Dickens, Poe, poetry, literature or ravens check this book out!
November 15, 2022
A Raven Named Grip is a mildly interesting tale of the bird who inspired a few famous stories by famous men, Charles Dickens and Edgar Allen Poe. Singer brings some levity to the story with bad habits of the bird and memories of Dickens’ children.
Love that it is fully illustrated, but some do the faces creep me out a little. While the story presents a clever angle, bringing two men and a bird together, I wouldn’t describe it as particularly insightful or inspiring.
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Love that it is fully illustrated, but some do the faces creep me out a little. While the story presents a clever angle, bringing two men and a bird together, I wouldn’t describe it as particularly insightful or inspiring.
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
December 12, 2021
Who knew?!?
What a cool and true picture book about the raven named Grip that was Charles Dickens' family's pet in Europe. Once Grip died, there were a few subsequent Grips, but the OG Grip was taxidermied and put in a glass case to be with the family. It was what inspired Poe and created the meeting between Dickens and Poe. Poe wrote Nevermore which put him on the map.
The bird and Poe's works were donated to a library in Philadelphia by a collector. Makes me kind of want to visit the library and it's collection!
What a cool and true picture book about the raven named Grip that was Charles Dickens' family's pet in Europe. Once Grip died, there were a few subsequent Grips, but the OG Grip was taxidermied and put in a glass case to be with the family. It was what inspired Poe and created the meeting between Dickens and Poe. Poe wrote Nevermore which put him on the map.
The bird and Poe's works were donated to a library in Philadelphia by a collector. Makes me kind of want to visit the library and it's collection!
February 21, 2022
This book shared a fascinating historical tidbit with some clever pictures, like having a shadow of wings behind Edgar Allan Poe. While this was eye-opening to me for I did not know Dickens had a raven or that Poe was inspired by the raven, I felt like "Really? You made a book about this?" or "What's the point? Let's get to the point." For a picture book, it felt like it took awhile to get to the part where Poe came into the story. Yet, without the buildup this book would have been even shorter.
Verdict: Not bad. This was just not my cup of tea.
Verdict: Not bad. This was just not my cup of tea.
February 25, 2022
I've always been interested in Poe and ravens, and I was very excited to see Grip and have my picture taken with her when I was in Philadelphia a few years ago. I had not realized before then that "The Raven" was based on a real bird or that she had belonged to Dickens. I did not realize before this book that Grip was a girl!
This was so much fun to read with a lot of interesting information, even including how Grip came to be in the Philadelphia library and some fun general information at the end about the Tower of London ravens and corvids in general.
This was so much fun to read with a lot of interesting information, even including how Grip came to be in the Philadelphia library and some fun general information at the end about the Tower of London ravens and corvids in general.
February 6, 2022
Remember the story about Edgar Allen Poe visiting Charles Dickens at a Philadelphia hotel? I didn't know it until reading this fantastic book about the remarkable ravens that Dickens kept as pets. They featured in his novel Barnaby Rudge and inspired Poe's famous poem. Some fascinating literary history!
April 17, 2025
Even though they can pose a cataloging challenge (collective bio in the 920s which nobody will find browsing? 808? 597?), these combo bios are so great because kids can see the overlapping timeline of historical figures. Plus, so much raven content! The actual taxidermied original Grip is on display at the Philadelphia Free Library. Road trip!
January 14, 2022
Beautiful, full 2 page illustrations with gorgeous color.
It was enough information to keep me interested (and want to learn more about Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe's friendship), but didn't get bogged down with facts. Easily transitioned between facts. Enjoyable nonfiction picture book.
It was enough information to keep me interested (and want to learn more about Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe's friendship), but didn't get bogged down with facts. Easily transitioned between facts. Enjoyable nonfiction picture book.
January 19, 2022
This is a solid nonfiction picture book about an obscure subject, but it doesn't have a strong narrative arc. This is mainly just an informational book for kids and adults who are interested in ravens or literary history.
May 6, 2022
3.5 stars. Fascinating to learn more about Charles Dickens, his love for Ravens, and how Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe met.
Just interesting.
It's a wordier non-fiction picture book, but still fascinating. High School teachers could definitely read this one aloud.
Just interesting.
It's a wordier non-fiction picture book, but still fascinating. High School teachers could definitely read this one aloud.
July 6, 2022
While the subject matter might not appeal to every child, my 11 year old loved this book. A big fan of Poe (and all things goth, really), she enjoyed this nonfiction picture book about Dicken's pet raven who inspired works by both DIckens and Poe. A must read for fans of either author.
Want to read
March 29, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
April 4, 2021
A lovely book for fans of Dickens and Poe!!!
December 8, 2021
Picture book length non-fiction. Fascinating story of Poe and Dickens and their love for ravens. Interesting back matter about the Tower of London. Not listed as an AR book, but fun to read.
December 27, 2021
This book is worth a yawn. The subject is good but it’s poorly executed.
January 8, 2022
Who knew? Charles Dickens, in his famed days, kept a pet raven named, Grip. Several "Grips" in a row, in fact, despite his 12 children's aversion to the aviary beast that wreaked havoc in the home. But what does that have to do with Edgar Allen Poe's poem? Read on!
February 1, 2022
Wonderful story about how Dicken’s dead pet raven inspired Edgar Allen Poe to write The Raven.
February 23, 2022
I love stories like this and wish I had books like this to read when I was young.
March 16, 2022
Fascinating story, well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews