Aesop's The Crow and The Pitcher - Hardcover

STEPHANIE GWYN BROWN experiments with traditional and digital media in her toy and gadget filled studio in Los Angeles where she lives with her husband and three cats who observe and take notes. This is her first picturebook.

Kindergarten-Grade 4-In this imaginative interpretation of an Aesop fable, the story unfolds on full spreads as a thirsty crow finds a water pitcher but soon discovers that he is unable to reach the liquid with his beak. Here, the action stops, as a blueprint diagram showing the pitcher, water level, and beak size makes the problem clear for readers. The crow tries several methods before coming up with a breakthrough idea ("drawn from information and inspiration") and fills the pitcher with pebbles until he is able to drink. On the last two pages, the crow, now wearing a lab coat, takes to the blackboard and provides a step-by-step explanation of the scientific method: raising a question, gathering facts, forming a hypothesis, testing it with an experiment, reviewing results, and sharing data. Details in the illustrations, such as a snapshot of the bird examining the pitcher or a beaker of pebbles, connect each of these steps to the story. Rendered in "mixed digital media," the vivid artwork presents spectacular depictions of desert vegetation and wildlife. Humorous touches appear throughout, including a "Thirst-O-Meter" that ranges from low to danger, a thermometer showing the bird's "Ambient Temperature," and another gauge that tracks his level of "Determination." Children will enjoy this clever and creative rendition of the fable, and teachers will find it useful when explaining the scientific method.
Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.