Crow Call - Lois Lowry

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Scholastic, 2009

$16.99

32 pgs.

Rating: 5 YES!

Endpapers: Deep brown, accentuating the beautiful browns used in the illustrations.

This is a supremely lovely book. The words themselves are gorgeous. The illustrations are magnificent. And the story iteslf is oh-so-satisfying. It's a memoir, a story of Lois Lowry and her own father in 1945.

Just back from the war, a father begins the first steps of reconnecting with his young daughter by taking her hunting, just the two of them. Breakfast at a diner starts the day with a funny situation that I'm certain became an inside family joke. The woods are quiet and beautiful, and they talk. Lizzie is nervous about her father's rifle, and fearful for the crows he will shoot. He gives her the task of blowing the crow call. This becomes such a delight to her when dozens of silent crows rise from the trees in answer to her call.

This is first and foremost the story of a thoughtful, sensitive father who dearly loves his child. Wrapped in magical words and detailed illustrations, this is a lush, special book. BRAVO!!

"Grass, frozen after its summer softness, crunches under our feet; free from the floating pollens of summer, and our words seem etched and breakable on the brittle stillness."

Never stop writing, Mrs. Lowry, never stop!