The Cardinal and the Crow written and
illustrated by Michael Moniz (Simply Read Books)
HB RRP $21.99
ISBN 978 1927018583
Reviewed by Dianne Bates
With a dust-cover, this is
a fine-looking picture book for older readers 7 to 10 years, produced by an
English publishing house. The story goes that all the birds in the forest
torment old Crow for his scraggly feathers and harsh call. He is especially
mocked by their ringleader, the proud Cardinal which has ‘brilliant red
feathers and a beautiful warbling voice.’ As a result, the Crow is
alone and lonely.
However, when Cardinal
gets into trouble with a scavenging cat, there is only one creature smart
enough to get him out – the Crow, of course. However, will Crow come to the aid
of the boastful bird?
Inspired by Aesop’s
Fables, this thoughtful picture book reminds the reader that pride and
foolishness often go hand in hand. It has a message for the younger
reader, too, about bullying and how the bullied and the bully can sometimes
find common ground, even friendship.
The watercolour
illustrations of the birds and the landscape are set against a pale brown wash.
The only bright colour is of the Cardinal, a few other birds and the cat’s
green, greedy eyes. My only criticism of the book is that the typeface could
have been larger, especially for small eyes.
Michael Moniz is a Canadian
working at Artistic Director for a Toronto-based advertising agency.
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