Crows: Genius Birds (Science Comics) – by Kyla Vanderklugt, First Second, 9781626728028, 2020
Format: Paperback
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Genre: Nonfiction Graphic Novel
What did you like about the book? This was a fun book about a really interesting animal! The introduction of the book explains the author’s personal interest in crows, which pulled me in before even reading. In the book, a crow character befriends a dog, and as they travel around the town together the crow teaches the dog all about crows using light, and sometimes humorous, dialogue. I personally learned a lot, especially about how smart crows are. Readers learn how crows are social creatures, use tools in unique ways, and have adapted to live near humans. There are a few comparisons to dogs as well. In addition to the text, there are some diagrams and labels to show new information, like comparing different shaped beaks. The illustrations are fun and add some additional humor, especially the facial expressions and body language of the animal characters. A glossary, notes, frequently asked questions, and further sources were a nice addition to the ending.
Anything you did not like about the book. Nothing
To whom would you recommend this book? Anyone who likes the Science Comics series will enjoy this newest book. I would also recommend this book (and this series) to a reluctant reader who needs to read a nonfiction book. Animal lovers will be curious to learn about the crow in particular.
Who should buy this book? Elementary school librarians, public librarians
Where would you shelve it? Graphic Novels, Nonfiction (500s)
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Sarah Bickel, Greenlodge Elementary School, Dedham Massachusetts
Date of review: April 20, 2020
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