I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Starting with a trio of thin-necked, sweater-clad black birds, Kathi Appelt’s new picture book Counting Crows introduces young readers to a growing group of cawing birds with rhymes and playful illustrations.
That first group of crows has the good fortune to find the exact number of snacks for them all, and as another three crows join them, their luck continues. From roly-poly bugs to salty peanuts, the crows feast together on items they encounter on the ground. An additional three crows join the crew, and the counting increases to nine, as do the treats they discover, too. The rhyme scheme changes a bit as crows begin to join the group just one by one, but the silly adventures on telephone lines, in bird baths, and on park benches keep up. But when the dozen crows catch the eye of a nearby furry bystander, it may be time to fly the coop, as they say.
I found great appeal in Rob Dunlavey’s illustrations– pencil sketches with pops of black, white, and red on the crows and their accessories. That silly factor of crows in striped sweaters was the first thing my almost-three-year-old friend delightfully exclaimed about when I first read this book with her. The counting builds upon itself, and that repetition is helpful with young children who are still learning to count. The text is short, as well, making this a wonderful choice for the preschool and early elementary set.