King of the Birds

August 1, 2020

Gr 1-4-When Arlo the crow claims that crows are the greatest birds in the world, his diminutive bird buddy Pips is skeptical-there are much prettier birds out there, after all-but Arlo is loaded with information about crows' talents, such as their ability to count and use tools. A red star appears in dialogue bubbles to lead readers to footnotes explaining how Arlo's claims are based in truth (a caption stating that crows are thought to be as intelligent as a seven-year-old child is likely to stir readers at or approaching that age to draw comparisons). Arlo pretends to keel over to dissuade another crow from eating his fries ("Some crows have been seen playing dead to fool other crows and keep food for themselves"), and he becomes elated when he discovers a sharp nail, grabbing it in his beak and flying off ("Crows have a reputation for liking and collecting shiny objects"). Gravel's simple, thick-lined cartoons have a childlike appeal. Panel layouts range from page-filling images to three wide panels stacked together to a six-panel grid. Bright background colors-mostly yellow, red, and blue-provide variety during prolonged exchanges. Though Arlo loves to boast, he's not mean-spirited so much as exuberantly confident; he's also appreciative of Pips's friendship, and the book concludes with the crow offering the little bird a gift. VERDICT Crows get their day in the sun, both as protagonist and subject. Give this to readers who enjoy animal friendships and learning a thing or two along the way.-Thomas Maluck, Richland Lib., SC

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 14, 2020
Stripped-down forms, bold black contours, and hand-lettered type by Gravel (I Am Scary) reveal crows’ many talents in this simple story of would-be friendship. Pips, a tiny yellow bird, overhears braggart crow Arlo’s proclamations: “No bird is greater than... me. The Crow,” Arlo announces. “Hello, my dear fans,” he greets Pips, tipping his golden crown. “Wait, what?” interrupts Pips. More proud talk follows (“I’m gorgeous”) before the two strike up an acquaintance from which emerges various facts about crow behavior. In one sequence, Arlo spies a sleeve of discarded French fries and promptly keels over when another crow approaches. Pips is alarmed, but it’s part of a plan, and a red star in a speech balloon points to an explanation below: “Some crows have been seen playing dead to fool other crows and keep food for themselves.” More crow facts appear throughout like cereal-box prizes. Pips never makes much headway with Arlo’s huge ego (“You’re a pretty good actor,” Pips says gallantly.
“I know,” says Arlo. “I’m the best”),
but fascinating crow info paired with Gravel’s distinctive panels and snappy dialogue nevertheless engage throughout. Ages 6–10. Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words.

January 1, 2021
It's an early chapter book! It's a graphic novel! It's a story about a creature with an overabundance of pride! It's an unexpected friendship story! It's a collection of strange-but-true facts about crows! Gravel (Disgusting Critters series) manages all this in three short graphic chapters marked by her signature sly humor. Her blocky cartoon birds on simple backgrounds in a limited color palette help keep things simple. Arlo, a boastful crow, finds an audience in a little yellow bird named Pips, who questions whether crows really are the very best birds, as Arlo claims. On finding that Arlo is new to the city, Pips offers to show him around, and a new friendship is formed. As their small adventures unfold -- tricking other birds, visiting the beach, finding shiny things -- facts about crows are sprinkled throughout in the form of footnotes. These facts are used to great effect, making the reader believe that maybe crows are truly as amazing as Arlo says.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from January 1, 2021
It's an early chapter book! It's a graphic novel! It's a story about a creature with an overabundance of pride! It's an unexpected friendship story! It's a collection of strange-but-true facts about crows! Gravel (Disgusting Critters series) manages all this in three short graphic chapters marked by her signature sly humor. Her blocky cartoon birds on simple backgrounds in a limited color palette help keep things simple. Arlo, a boastful crow, finds an audience in a little yellow bird named Pips, who questions whether crows really are the very best birds, as Arlo claims. On finding that Arlo is new to the city, Pips offers to show him around, and a new friendship is formed. As their small adventures unfold -- tricking other birds, visiting the beach, finding shiny things -- facts about crows are sprinkled throughout in the form of footnotes. These facts are used to great effect, making the reader believe that maybe crows are truly as amazing as Arlo says. Laura Koenig

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)