GO, CROW

A clever crow flies through a busy day.

The book opens on a brightening morning sky; observant readers will spot a crow’s nest nestled amid pointillist-inspired foliage. Youngsters travel alongside this magnificent corvid in an adventure told through single, rhyming word exclamations. As the sun rises, the bird sets out (“Crow. Go!”), ascending through clouds and gliding above swaying trees and verdant fields (“Blow. Flow. Grow”). Kamphuis offers a literal bird’s-eye view of the landscape below before Crow spots its quarry, a tempting seed peeking out from a newly planted field (“Sow”). Swooping in, the crow skillfully evades its “foe,” an indignant, pale-skinned farmer. With hazy dusk falling, the crow retreats with its prize, where—“Oh!”—a nest full of hungry young chicks awaits! While this one-word-per-page format could feel gimmicky, the scant but cohesive story that results is proof that simplicity and a willingness to fully commit to an idea can create a startlingly rich tale. Sumptuous illustrations that seem to glow provide a maximalist counterpoint to the concise narrative. The digitally created visuals have a folk-art vibe, with an unexpected intertwining of bold graphic shapes and swirling, fluid lines. Spiraling plowed fields and forests composed of delicate dots delight the eye. Conversely, the contoured crow, resplendent in sooty feathers and emotive, pointy beak, feels appropriately conspicuous on the double-page spreads.

A graceful book that will leave readers crowing.