Crow Call by Lois Lowry

Module 2 - Crow Call by Lois Lowry

Lowry, L., & Ibatoulline, B. (2009). Crow call. New York: Scholastic Press.

Published 2009
32 pages, fully illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Ages 4-8

Plot:

Taking place on a cold November morning following the return of her father from war, Liz recounts the day her father took her on her first crow call. Rising before dawn, she and her father set off, a little unsure of each other after their long estrangement, and head to a local diner for breakfast where they eat cherry pie (Liz's favorite). Once they arrive at their woodland destination, they begin to silently hike into the woods, Liz wrapped snuggly in her prized oversized plain hunting shirt. Soon it is time and Liz begins the call and suddenly hundreds of birds flock to her. She are her dad share some brief conversation and the unspoken bond of this memory and by doing so reestablish a personal connection to each other.

My Impressions:

I liked this story because it dove into the internal feelings of the character, rather than focusing on the external action as most children's books do. The story shows how a simple morning out that to some might seem relatively uneventful, can become a cherished memory rich with sentiment and life long after it passes. While it is unlikely many children will find themselves out on an early morning crow call with an estranged father, the story is nevertheless relatable. It is these moments which create the individual and it is clear that this moment is deeply rooted in who Lois Lowry is. Also, the artwork for the story is quite immersive and truly helps extend the emotional content of the story as well as the setting. I do however feel that while children will enjoy this book, but that adults will probablly appreciate its subtlety much more.

Reviews:

From Booklist by Ilene Cooper 

Drawing on a childhood memory, Lowry offers a story where the specific becomes universal. Lizzie’s father is back from the war, and to her, he is almost a stranger. He doesn’t even know how much she loves cherry pie. But he does understand when she picks out an unconventional adult-size hunting shirt, which at least she won’t outgrow. One cold morning, Lizzie dons her shirt and goes out with Daddy to hunt crows. Crows eat crops; of that there’s no doubt. Daddy has his shotgun. He’s given Lizzie a crow call so she can gather the birds together in the trees. In a subtle dialogue, Lizzie says things without saying the big thing on her mind: “I wish the crows didn’t eat the crops. . . . They might have babies to take care of.” Not wanting to disappoint her father, Lizzie calls the birds until they fill the sky, and then, after a breathless moment, her father, not wanting to disappoint Lizzie, takes her home. Each frame of the story is captured like an old-time movie in Ibatoulline’s tender watercolor and acrylic gouache artwork. Particularly effective is the doublepage spread in which father and daughter walk among the leafless trees on that chilly autumn day, when their “words seemed etched and breakable on the brittle stillness.” In the end, words aren’t needed after all.


Cooper, I. (2009). Crow Call. Booklist, 106(4), 50.

From School Library Journal by Maryann H. Owen

Based on the reminiscence of a day in 1945, Lowry's nostalgic story has appeal that will resonate with 21st-century children. Lizzie's father has just returned from serving in World War II and she's a bit shy even though she's excited about spending the day with him. They are going to hunt crows that are eating the farmers' crops. The eight-year-old is warmly dressed in a man's plaid wool shirt that she had admired in a store window and her father bought for her even though it comes down to her knees. After an early diner breakfast of her favorite cherry pie, they head toward the woods. Being in charge of the crow call, a whistle intended to lure prey to the hunter, Lizzie is impressed with the number of birds she entices, yet feels uncomfortable because they are about to be killed. However, her father never raises his rifle; he simply enjoys watching his enthralled daughter and the multitude of birds that have heeded her call. Remarkable, atmospheric illustrations reveal the subdued, cool autumn colors of crunchy dried grass, softly hued sky, and dark leafless trees. The memory of a treasured day spent with a special person will resonate with readers everywhere.

Owen, M. H. (2009). Crow Call. School Library Journal, 55(10), 98.

Library Suggestions:

As this story was based on the personal recollection of a defining moment in Lowry's life, this book would work well as an introduction to a sharing a personal memory activity. After being read the story, children could be asked to either verbally go around and share a memory that was important to them or maybe illustrate it. This helps children explore their uniqueness among their peers as well as develop their expression of emotions creatively.