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Crumbs
On a wintry city street, a one-legged bird dances for crumbs to eat but Ella has nothing to give. Then her father shows how a simple act of human kindness can spread joy to all. A captivating and universal story.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2022
18 people want to read
About the author
Phil Cummings
65 books20 followersPhil Cummings had his first book published by Omnibus/Penguin in 1989 and has
since written over sixty books for children.
since written over sixty books for children.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 7, 2022
There is a little bird begging for a crumb. Ella doesn't feed it though. Then there is a man walking through the streets, also begging for a crumb, but no one offers him anything to eat either. When the man sits and the bird comes to him, he offers the bird the little crumbs he does have. Ella is watching the interaction. When her dad returns with their lunch, they both agree and go share their lunch with the man, and then shares her crumbs with the bird too.
This is a FANTASTIC book to demonstrate Social Inclusion, Homelessness, there is profound language used, and gives the reader a warm feeling. 5 Start
This is a FANTASTIC book to demonstrate Social Inclusion, Homelessness, there is profound language used, and gives the reader a warm feeling. 5 Start
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2022
It's hard to know where to start with this beautiful picturebook.
It's an incredibly moving and powerful picturebook, and, honestly, one that makes me a little teary for its earnestness. Phil Cummings has done a wonderful job of crafting a story that has a profound message for young audiences (and also older audiences, too). The word choice is top-notch and makes for a beautiful read-aloud, one that should definitely encourage deep conversations.
Similarly, the illustrations evoke a sense of Pixar films - the characters in sharp focus, while the background has this faded, hazy feel of a cold winter's day. They're stunning to look at and explore and there's such depth to the expressions on the characters faces. In combination with Cummings narrative, the illustrations truly bring this book to life.
I feel very fortunate to have read and experienced a text with such a strong social conscience and I can't wait to share it with others.
Thank you to Scholastic for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's an incredibly moving and powerful picturebook, and, honestly, one that makes me a little teary for its earnestness. Phil Cummings has done a wonderful job of crafting a story that has a profound message for young audiences (and also older audiences, too). The word choice is top-notch and makes for a beautiful read-aloud, one that should definitely encourage deep conversations.
Similarly, the illustrations evoke a sense of Pixar films - the characters in sharp focus, while the background has this faded, hazy feel of a cold winter's day. They're stunning to look at and explore and there's such depth to the expressions on the characters faces. In combination with Cummings narrative, the illustrations truly bring this book to life.
I feel very fortunate to have read and experienced a text with such a strong social conscience and I can't wait to share it with others.
Thank you to Scholastic for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 1, 2022
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Crumbs was an absolute delight!
The illustrations were exquisite and vibrant, even with the gloomy violet tones. The story was full of empathy, kindness and generosity, something that world has fallen short on. This sweet and sentimental story is one the kids will love!
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Thank you Scholastic for this book in exchange for an honest review
Crumbs was an absolute delight!
The illustrations were exquisite and vibrant, even with the gloomy violet tones. The story was full of empathy, kindness and generosity, something that world has fallen short on. This sweet and sentimental story is one the kids will love!
August 28, 2024
Absolutely perfect.
A little girl waits in the cold for her dad to buy them lunch. She sees a bird with one leg looking for crumbs, but she has nothing to give. As it flew around to others, nobody gave it anything, and some rudely shooed it away.
Then the girl sees a man with "prickly-bush whiskers, wild hair, and his life in a bag on his back." He too was asking quietly and nervously for crumbs. People ignored him too; nobody gave him anything, and some people rudely looked away. When the one-legged bird sat beside him, he reaching into his pocket and pulled out some crumbs to share with the bird.
When dad returns with lunch, they invite the man to sit and eat with them. And they share their crumbs with the bird. ♡︎
A little girl waits in the cold for her dad to buy them lunch. She sees a bird with one leg looking for crumbs, but she has nothing to give. As it flew around to others, nobody gave it anything, and some rudely shooed it away.
Then the girl sees a man with "prickly-bush whiskers, wild hair, and his life in a bag on his back." He too was asking quietly and nervously for crumbs. People ignored him too; nobody gave him anything, and some people rudely looked away. When the one-legged bird sat beside him, he reaching into his pocket and pulled out some crumbs to share with the bird.
When dad returns with lunch, they invite the man to sit and eat with them. And they share their crumbs with the bird. ♡︎
March 29, 2023
What a beautifully written and illustrated work this is - with a very strong and clear subtext on the disparity between rich and poor and how those with very little have the time to observe and respond to those with less. A young girl is waiting for her father to by lunch and while she sits at an outdoor table, she observes a one legged bird searching for crumbs, and she has none to share. In tandem, a beggar is seeking small coins to buy food but no one sees him except the girl and the sparrow. The beggar has crumbs for the sparrow, and when her father arrives the food is shared between the four.
The illustrations are magnificent - they capture the chill cold weather through use of white space and muted purples, and the shadows of the passerbys, mobiles in hand emphasise the way people choose not to see or participate the world around them. There are many themes here to engage readers at different ages and levels of maturity
This is a timeless story for all ages. A 2023 CBCA Notable Picture Book that would be a contender for the shortlist
The illustrations are magnificent - they capture the chill cold weather through use of white space and muted purples, and the shadows of the passerbys, mobiles in hand emphasise the way people choose not to see or participate the world around them. There are many themes here to engage readers at different ages and levels of maturity
This is a timeless story for all ages. A 2023 CBCA Notable Picture Book that would be a contender for the shortlist
December 6, 2024
A lovely story about generosity, social inclusion, and how kindness can inspire more kindness. I love that it's the fellow without a home who is the only one who feeds the bird. This would be a great way to start a discussion with your kids
When I was rather down on my luck in another city (losing weight from lack of food and struggling for work), I observed that the people who were the most helpful and generous to one another were often the people who had the least to give. People in rough neighborhoods would give a broken down car a push in the street before they were even asked, and there was something so powerful about sharing with someone when you both had so little. You truly understood what you were giving/getting.
I noticed that I was way more attuned to other people, during this time. Through no concentrated effort of my own, I found that I touched and was touched by a lot of people's lives, even though I accomplished very little of "Importance". Those memories are more intense than many things before and after that in theory should be more memorable.
When I was rather down on my luck in another city (losing weight from lack of food and struggling for work), I observed that the people who were the most helpful and generous to one another were often the people who had the least to give. People in rough neighborhoods would give a broken down car a push in the street before they were even asked, and there was something so powerful about sharing with someone when you both had so little. You truly understood what you were giving/getting.
I noticed that I was way more attuned to other people, during this time. Through no concentrated effort of my own, I found that I touched and was touched by a lot of people's lives, even though I accomplished very little of "Importance". Those memories are more intense than many things before and after that in theory should be more memorable.
August 30, 2024
Absolutely perfect.
A little girl waits in the cold for her dad to buy them lunch. She sees a bird with one leg looking for crumbs, but she has nothing to give. As it flew around to others, nobody gave it anything, and some rudely shooed it away.
Then the girl sees a man with "prickly-bush whiskers, wild hair, and his life in a bag on his back." He too was asking quietly and nervously for crumbs. People ignored him too; nobody gave him anything, and some people rudely looked away. When the one-legged bird sat beside him, he reaching into his pocket and pulled out some crumbs to share with the bird.
When dad returns with lunch, they invite the man to sit and eat with them. And they share their crumbs with the bird. ♡︎
A little girl waits in the cold for her dad to buy them lunch. She sees a bird with one leg looking for crumbs, but she has nothing to give. As it flew around to others, nobody gave it anything, and some rudely shooed it away.
Then the girl sees a man with "prickly-bush whiskers, wild hair, and his life in a bag on his back." He too was asking quietly and nervously for crumbs. People ignored him too; nobody gave him anything, and some people rudely looked away. When the one-legged bird sat beside him, he reaching into his pocket and pulled out some crumbs to share with the bird.
When dad returns with lunch, they invite the man to sit and eat with them. And they share their crumbs with the bird. ♡︎
October 28, 2025
A girl sits at a cafe while her father waits in line to buy lunch.
A one-legged hungry bird searches for crumbs amongst the table legs and feet. Not finding anything to eat, it lands in front of the girl. Unfortunately, she cannot offer it anything either.
A man wanders near the cafe, stooped, scruffy and weary – looking for some kindness from passers by. A little change is all he needs.
Just like the bird – he finds nothing. But when the bird approaches him, he has something to give.
Watching both the man and bird, the girl sees the kindness between them. When her father returns to her with their lunch, she knows what they must do.
A simple but poignant story of kindness between both human and bird. An action so simple as sharing makes a profound difference to hungry beings, which in turn spreads joy among all.
The illustrations hold so many emotions and the muted backgrounds help highlight the characters and their actions. One kindness sparks another underlining the important theme – a little kindness can go a long way.
A one-legged hungry bird searches for crumbs amongst the table legs and feet. Not finding anything to eat, it lands in front of the girl. Unfortunately, she cannot offer it anything either.
A man wanders near the cafe, stooped, scruffy and weary – looking for some kindness from passers by. A little change is all he needs.
Just like the bird – he finds nothing. But when the bird approaches him, he has something to give.
Watching both the man and bird, the girl sees the kindness between them. When her father returns to her with their lunch, she knows what they must do.
A simple but poignant story of kindness between both human and bird. An action so simple as sharing makes a profound difference to hungry beings, which in turn spreads joy among all.
The illustrations hold so many emotions and the muted backgrounds help highlight the characters and their actions. One kindness sparks another underlining the important theme – a little kindness can go a long way.
December 9, 2022
A touching story of kindness and compassion. It does not offer judgement towards homelessness, but understanding. The final act of kindness is shown in the illustrations. Ella and her father are depicted as BIPOC.
June 12, 2022
A beautiful story about compassion and care.
June 13, 2022
This is a beautiful book. A wonderful story about compassion and so beautifully illustrated.
May 25, 2022
The illustrations are gorgeous! This book is about kindness to humans and animals. It is about homelessness, generosity, empathy, and human connectedness.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews