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CM . . .
. Volume XXI Number 21. . . .February 6, 2015
Michael Moriz is both a picture book author and a commercial artist. In The Cardinal & the Crow, he gives a nod to Aesop to write a brisk, entertaining fable. He launches into the narrative in true storyteller’s style:
Crow’s life is spoiled by cheeky Cardinal who has gathered followers because of his bright plumage and “beautiful warbling voice”.
What is below is a watchful cat which pounces and manages to capture Cardinal in its jaws. Crow saves the other bird using flattery. He throws out compliments, the culmination of which is:
Of course, Cardinal is able to escape from the cat when it opens its mouth and shows itself chastened by the experience. Crow states the moral of the story:
The birds live in harmony thereafter.
Highly Recommended. Ellen Heaney is a retired children’s librarian living in Coquitlam, BC.
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As suits the traditional form of the tale, the text of the story is minimal. Starkly-outlined birds and an animated cat are shown on a hazy background with little detail in it. This focuses the reader’s attention on the interchange between characters. Cardinal’s red feathers provide the only colour on the arresting double spreads. A book for primary school and public libraries.