If you have “irritating” crows living in the trees outside your house like I do, you know how loud and persistent they can be. I picked up this book because I realized I needed to get my facts straight about my noisy neighbors—and I am so glad I did!
Written by Chris Butterworth and illustrated by the brilliant Olivia Lomenech Gill, Clever Crow is a complete game-changer for the classroom. It moves past the “spooky” myths and shows kids (and adults!) that these birds are actually the “monkeys of the air.”
The book covers everything from their tool-using skills to their ability to recognize human faces. The artwork is stunning; it has a raw, sketchbook feel that won the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Illustration. It’s the perfect mentor text for blending science with art, or for simply teaching students to look at “common” nature with a bit more respect.
Grade Level: K-3
Genre: Biography & Memoir
Format: Picture Book
Content:
crows, bird behavior, ornithology