Counting Crows

PreS-K—This book features a murder of crows (well, a dozen) and rhyming text. The pattern is set for counting the birds ("One, two, three/crows in a tree./Three roly-poly bugs, /three ripe mangoes./Three for the counting crows./Three, by jango!"). The poetry bounces along nicely until number 11, when the pattern changes to accommodate the rhyme. "One, two, three, four,/five, six, seven…/eight…/nine…/ten…eleven!" A cat comes along after 12 crows are introduced, and the birds fly off in their original groups. The text is accompanied by stylized sketchbook-type pencil drawings enhanced digitally with dark red stripes on the crows' shirts and one crow's scarf. The scrawny, playful birds do crowlike things, such as sit in a nest or on a telephone line and scavenge for food. The book features lots of white space and large, easy-to-read lettering. Children will enjoy counting the birds and their various food items. This simple story is a good storytime read-aloud if readers pay attention to the meter.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT