Corner

by Zo-O (pen name)

A quirky and relatable story about balancing creativity and connection

A crow finds itself in an empty corner and begins to make the space its own. First, it furnishes the corner with a bed, a bookshelf, a rug, even a potted plant. In the newly decorated space, the crow reads and eats, listens to music and waters the plant, but something’s missing. What is it?

The crow decides to decorate more, drawing geometric patterns on the walls in yellow. The corner is filled with color and shapes, but something is still missing. The crow adds a window, and finally discovers what it needed all along―a way to connect with the world outside and to make a new friend.

This highly original, almost-wordless picture book is the first title by award-winning Korean author and illustrator Zo-O to be published in English. Soft, detailed illustrations of the cozy corner will inspire kids to express themselves in their own spaces, and the crow’s problem-solving skills encourage readers to think about how they can comfortably step outside of their comfort zone.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Art, Juvenile, Friendship

64 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2023

Reviews

[Sierra Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet yet engaging look at boredom, creativity, and discovery. Although this story has sparse text, it reads much like a wordless picture book. The art style is engaging with texture and emotion. On each spread, readers watch a little crow slowly transform an empty corner into a home and finally into a place from which to reach out toward connection. Young readers will enjoy watching how the crow interacts with and changes its world.

[Lori Alden Holuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tiny treasure that I hope will be read by many, many children! The gentle message of remembering to furnish your life with friends, not just furnishings, may even be of comfort as kids recall the story later in life when they make the big step to move out on their own.

This story of crow, settling into his little corner of the world is told in a questioning, non-judgmental and never preachy way. It gently challenges a child to literally think outside the box. The artwork is perfect - gentle yet powerful, drawn softly and cozily.

I highly recommend this book for any child - and it wouldn't hurt adults to take its meaning to heart, either.

My thanks to author Zo-O, OwlKids Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Vincent Desjardins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about how a bored crow channels his boredom into creativity and as a result widens his world is visually delightful. The author / illustrator has made wonderful use of the page layout by using the book's gutter as the corner referred to in the title. There is very little text in this book (I counted 16 words!) so the story is mostly told through the wonderful illustrations. I loved watching how this little crow decorated a corner of his room which in the end brings him a happy surprise. A very charming, almost wordless picture book.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine concept and execution that's been done before, though perhaps never quite like this. The illustrations are well-suited to the plot, and the way it goes from nearly colorless to bright and vivid is well-conceived and beautifully rendered.

The clever bookmaking (possibly too clever) gives this book its uniqueness, though I couldn't decide if the occasional element that got lost in the gutter was an intentional decision, or simply the way a book of this nature literally is hard to fully open? A corner doesn't obscure a person's vision of what lies in it, so...?

[Karen Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book needs few words to tell its story. Beautifully illustrated it is sure to spark the imagination and creativity of its readers. Excellent choice for young readers of all ages. You will fall for little lonely crew and his small corner of the world.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in Korea, then by Owlkids Books in the U.S. Nearly wordless, there is that crow in its corner. As it fills the corner with "things", readers will become more and more curious as to "What's next?" You need to see it to discover the answer!

[Suppi · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn't really much to say about this one, I just thought it was really warm and sweet.

Thank you to Owlkids and Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Claire Wrobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I strongly identify with this homey crow

[Jeremy Risis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life beyond belief. I finally found my corner in life thanks to this impeccable masterpiece.

[April Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a neat little book that can be about so many things, and that's what I loved about it. On its surface, we have a crow who finds a corner and sets about making a home in it, a perfectly fine little story on its own. The space gets cozier as the crow adds more comforts (including a handy houseplant to give the reader a sense of time passing), with each new addition placed in hope of finding what it is that's missing, what will make the home complete. After ever more elaborate updates, the crow finally decides to add a window, and looks outside; is what the crow finds there the missing piece? That's left to the reader to decide. What does the story mean? I don't know for sure, but I have many ideas about it, and I think that might be the point. This story allows the reader to make of it what they like and/or need the story to be; it's very adaptable, and I like that.
Also, the art is really lovely, very soft and intimate and cozy. A perfect gift for all ages!

#Corner #NetGalley

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little blackbird beautifies their own corner of the world in this unique, sparsely-worded little book.

[Ronda Roaring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corner, written and illustrated by Zo-O, Owlkids Books, 2023. 60 pages. South Korean author/illustrator Zo-O, the Chinese of which means Crow Zoo in English, brings us a thought-provoking book, the main character of which is a crow. Is this book partly autobiographical? We don’t know. But on the cover, Crow is standing on a ladder, looking at a blank corner of a room. A shadow on the floor portends the presence of someone else. As we page through the nearly wordless story, the corner of the room is always at the center fold of this book of narrow trim size, giving the room the impression of height. At first, Crow looks at the blank walls. As we turn the pages, she begins to think and create. A bed is moved in, then a book nook and some books. Then a rug, a light, and finally a plant. Crow cares for the plant, but this isn’t enough. Crow calls, “Hello?” No answer. More things are added to the corner until Crow begins an elaborate wall mural. We see time passing as the plant grows taller. “Something is still missing,” decides Crow. In one wall, Crow cuts a hole and installs a window. Crow calls “Hello” again. No answer. Finally, Crow opens the window. “Hi!” says a white bird. Teachers and parents should be prepared with lots of questions as this will help children think and discuss

[Annahi Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copyright Date: 2023

Award: Outstanding International Book

Genre: Picture Book

In this nearly wordless story, a crow finds itself in an empty corner of a room and begins to make the space its own, adding a bed, bookcase, plant, and then drawing on the walls. Eventually the crow creates a window and finds a connection with someone outside the corner. I would use this book in the classroom to encourage students to explore themes of creativity, space, belonging, and friendship, and to invite them to imagine how they’d make a space their own.
I enjoyed how the story showed that even when you have everything you think you need, something might still be missing and how finding a connection makes the difference.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crow finds a corner. Crow decides that this should be home so they add a bed, a bookcase, a lamp, a potted plant. As time passes, Crow notices something is missing. Maybe it's art - so Crow decorates the walls. Maybe it's music - so crow dances to some music. After more decorating, more dancing, some eating, and lots of plant watering - something is still missing from Crow's life. So they add one more thing.
I loved how things changed from page to page. When Crow comments on how big the plant is, I had to turn back a few pages to watch as the plant steadily grew on each page. Delightful. The illustrations are appropriately subdued. There is a lot to think about, discuss, and observe.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there might have been nine words in this story, so it's mostly a wordless book. You can imagine how difficult the translators job was on this.

This book is all about the artwork. What a brilliant use of the book dimensions and same. The corner is the corner of the book and it just works so well. The view doesn't change, but each page changes and changes.

The bird is lonely and is finding ways to better his life. This was a fun book. So interesting. This is all about the experience of reading it.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Sweet story about a bird who locates a vacant corner and slowly sets up a home. Zo-O uses few words to capture the mood and allows the artwork to carry the message. Readers will enjoy making predictions as to what the bird will add next and how he will build his home. I love the ending where the bird opens their space to the outside world.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a small bird decorates its own little corner of the world, it certainly expands to fill the space (all the space), even branching outside where there are possible friends to meet.

What a sweet and nearly-wordless wonder this book was, and a real treat for anyone looking for a book on creating your own happiness.

A BIG thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for sharing this one!

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet mostly wordless picture book by Korean illustrator Zo-O about a crow in a corner who begins to make a place of his own--adding color, a bookcase, a plant, and so on. But what is he missing? A window, so after having established his space, he can venture out to connect with others. It actually could have been completely wordless and I would have liked it a mite better, but it is still great.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been enjoying reading translated picture books from other countries. They are often unique, quirky, unexpected. Corner was no exception - from the tall cut of the book to the illustrations which are literally painted into a corner of the book's gutter, this one is creative. Mostly wordless, crow is bored in his little corner of the world. He taps into his creativity to expand his view and connect with the outside world. A fun and creative picture book from Korea.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well illustrated. The story is pretty straight forward with very few words, but the pictures tell the story. The kids enjoyed looking at what changed page to page, and they liked the ending.

I've read it multiple times with our way them! So good all around.

I couldn't find it listed on Storygraph so I couldn't post a public review there.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This almost wordless book speaks to the creative spirit we all have inside. When a crow finds that a corner has become home what will s/he do to make the transition comfortable? There are many 'corners' we all find we are pushed into; this book encourages young children to claim that space through creativity.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was cute and artsy and clever--I love how it utilized the gutter of the book. A crow has an empty corner of his house that he continuously adds to and enjoys in an adorably introverted way. The only tricky thing is you may have to really force the book to open all the way to be able to enjoy the illustrations in full. A very cute vibe!

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant use of the picture book gutter! Our little crow is making a cozy reading corner/living space which expands from being mostly hidden but just enough seen to begin the progression of their decor and furniture. Eventually the artwork expands to the entire double page spread. Beautiful, creative, and amusing.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute book about a crow building a home for itself. It has a bed, a bookshelf, and a plant, what could possibly be missing? Minimal text and beautiful colored pencil illustrations contribute to the gentle storytelling of this book.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when your little corner of the world is literally an empty corner? Well, if you are the crow in this book, you make it yours with furniture, music, a plant, and yellow paint. With simple text and soft illustrations Zo-O tells the tale of this innovative bird and his corner.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow Crow who is lonely and a little lost in their corner of an empty room. See how they add bits and bobs and find increasingly creative ways to liven up their space. But something is still missing. What could it be? And what does Crow do to find the answer?

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So exciting to see some Korean children’s books being published in the US. The power of imagination and the ability to entertain yourself are featured in Zo-o’s first book published in English. Simple and beautiful.

[Rcltigger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, I'm not a giant fan of wordless picture books, but this was sweet. Basically, I learned that a crow can decorate better than I can! LOL. In all seriousness, a blank space can provide the perfect inspiration for creativity.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

A study in the use of the gutter. A black birdlike creature sets up a cozy space in the corner, and embellishes it with their favorite things, and expansive artwork, and they finally figure out what is missing.

[Rakisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and nearly wordless book about a crow who figures out exactly what they need to make their small space perfect. Great for one-on-one story times with children 3 years and up.