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THE CROW WHO STOOD ON HIS BEAK

Name: THE CROW WHO STOOD ON HIS BEAK
Author: Rafik Schami
ISBN: 1-55858-527-3

by Rafik Schami & translated by Anthea Bell & illustrated by Els Cools & Oliver Streitch ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1996

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A celebration of one who dares to be different, with some discordant notes along the way. A young crow lives with his mother among all the other crows. His mother, whose mate was killed by an eagle, must find food by herself and has to leave the little crow home alone. The other, presumably two-parent, crow families think he is a bad influence on their babies when he wanders through the branches on his own. Worse, he stands on his beak when he's bored. One day, a grandmother entertains the youngsters with a tale about a peacock. The young crow is so intrigued that he sets off to find the bird. He learns that the peacock's feathers are impressive, but so is his own ability to stand on his beak. When the peacock loses its tail feathers, the book ends with a moral about pride. Energetic illustrations feature an ebulliently resourceful hero, but the many messages are confusing: This is, all at once, a story about the struggles of a single parent, the sin of pride, and a reminder to be true to one's self. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: May 1, 1996

ISBN: 1-55858-527-3

Page Count: 30

Publisher: NorthSouth

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
THE STORYTELLER OF DAMASCUS
by Rafik Schami ; illustrated by Peter Knorr ; translated by Hiltrud Schulz & Michel Moushabeck

- BOOK REVIEW
A HAND FULL OF STARS
by Rafik Schami ; translated by Rika Lesser

- BOOK REVIEW
FATIMA AND THE DREAM THIEF
by Rafik Schami & translated by Anthea Bell & illustrated by Els Cools & Oliver Streitch

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'ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?'

by Denys Cazet & illustrated by Denys Cazet ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1992

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Young Arnie regales his mother with a kitchen-table report on his first-grade trip to the aquarium—``The deadly squid can squeeze a whale juiceless!'' As in his Never Spit On Your Shoes (1990), Cazet's homey illustrations hilariously fill in details Arnie leaves out; held—barely—in check by their teacher and a host of parent helpers, the children (small animals in human dress, one speaking only Spanish) rattle on about the tanks and displays as they pursue their own concerns, their authentic-sounding comments and queries in square balloons. Though those accustomed to Cazet's usually sensitive brand of comedy may wince at the tank of big-nosed ``Gefilte Fish,'' there's plenty of less jarring humor here for readers of all ages. ``I'm glad you had a good day,'' Mom comments, and Arnie replies, ``I think the teacher did, too. She went home early.'' (Picture book. 5-7)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1992

ISBN: 0-531-05451-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Orchard

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1992

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

- BOOK REVIEW
WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST?
by Denys Cazet ; illustrated by Denys Cazet

- BOOK REVIEW
BOB AND TOM
by Denys Cazet ; illustrated by Denys Cazet

- BOOK REVIEW
RUMORS
by Denys Cazet

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WHY THE SKY IS FAR AWAY

A NIGERIAN FOLKTALE

adapted by Mary-Joan Gerson & illustrated by Carla Golembe ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1992

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Once the sky was so close that people could reach up and break off pieces of it to eat, but they wasted so much that the sky grew angry. Finally, after a woman broke off a big piece despite the sky's warnings and then tried to hide what she couldn't finish, the sky floated up to where it is today, forcing us to work for our food ever since. First published as a picture book in 1974, this Nigerian tale is presented here with some revision (lines added, sexist language removed) and colorful new illustrations. Golembe's large monotypes combine simple patterns and stylized but recognizable objects; intensely black human figures provide focal points in most scenes. The story may be centuries old, but it teaches a timely lesson and is retold in a lively, nonpreachy way. (Folklore/Picture book. 6-8)