Crow Call by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
(Rated: C)
Scholastic Press
ISBN: 978-0-545-03035-9
October 1, 2009
Hardcover, 32 pages

Crow Call is a children’s story filled with nostalgia and longing, inspired by true events from the author’s own life—a young girl getting to know the father she missed during the war. From its beautiful sepia 1940’s illustrations to its post-WWII setting, this book is the perfect grandparent / child read. It will stir memories and allow for discussions of an era when children had fathers who went away at war for a long time, sometimes years.

It’s a story that’s worth reading more than once for both parents and children to grasp the universal message—appreciate the value and simple beauty of spending time together. At first my 8 year-old daughter wondered why it ended as it did since she was expecting more regarding the crow call, which really is symbolic. My 5 year-old son remarked on the detailed two-page spread illustration of a quiet November forest, the bare limbs of the majestic trees intertwined together in an intricate pattern. He was absolutely right that the artist is gifted.

This book reminded me of the special relationship between a little girl and her daddy. It is a lovely picture book.

Disclosure: Thanks to Nikole from Scholastic Canada for sending this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.