Bartholomew Quill: A Crow Learns to Tell Who's Who

by Thor Hanson, Dana Arnim (Illustrator)

Bartholomew Quill is clever and curious, but he doesn't know who or what he is. He has feathers not fur, so he can't be a moose; he is black like a puffin but his beak is the wrong color. This determined bird won't stop asking questions until he discovers what the reader knows--Bartholomew Quill is a crow!

Acclaimed biologist Thor Hanson takes us on a journey through the animal kingdom, and Dana Arnim's exuberant watercolor and ink illustrations add to the magic.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Birds

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2016

About the author

Thor Hanson is a Guggenheim Fellow, a Switzer Environmental Fellow, and winner of the John Burroughs Medal. His books include CLOSE TO HOME, HURRICANE LIZARDS AND PLASTIC SQUID, BUZZ, THE TRIUMPH OF SEEDS, FEATHERS, THE IMPENETRABLE FOREST, and the children's favorites THE ESCAPE ARTIST, STAR & THE MAESTRO, AND BARTHOLOMEW QUILL . Learn more at his website (www.thorhanson.net), or connect for a conversation at Skolay (www.skolay.com/writers/thorhanson).

Reviews

[Candyce Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this book, even my 1 year old!!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cybils nominee for Best Fiction Picture Book 2o16.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to really, really like this book, but I feel like I missed something super important. I didn't mind the rhyming, and I loved the art, but the end of the story just whooshed over my head. The raven won't confirm he's a raven, and Bartholomew extrapolates that he must be a crow because... that's the part I mised.

Anyway, I liked the discussion questions in the back, and I think this book would do well paired with "Crow, Not Crow" by Jane Yolen.

[Hailey McCain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loooove this kids book. My nephew's loved this.

[Autumn]

I liked this one, but the 3 y/o was not impressed and was very confused about what was going on with the Crow.

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's fine. The rhymes are fine, the pictures are fine, the story is fine.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Crow's Quest to Know Who's Who" —and to know what species he belongs to, too.

Rhyming poetry by Thor Hanson would enchant any reader of any age and be easy to memorize; hand-drawn illustrations from Dana Arnim capture a rather subdued, natural sensibility. In my lifetime I've had only two general biology classes: one in HS and one at university, so I don't know much, but I understand at least some critters have evolved an ability of species recognition that means they know one when of "their own kind" faces them. The first sentence sets the overall scene as it tells us:

"Bartholomew Quill was a crow long ago, when all of the world was new,"

so possibly this book about Bartholomew Quill the crow tells us a little about the processes of both self-recognition and other-recognition? This could lead to rich discussions about physical traits and behavioral tendencies of household pets, birds on the feeder, critters at the zoo, human classmates and assorted family members.

Cover of the bound book features the exact same artwork and text as the dust jacket, something that's not always the case. I love that both front and back endpapers feature small sketches of all the critters in the book.

"Get More Out Of This Book" includes ideas for Group Discussion, Group Activities, and Independent Activities. You also can get a Teacher's Guide.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review and teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=9526

Bartholomew Quill’s journey is a bit different than other books because the reader already knows the answer to the question the protagonist seeks. I can see reading this with students and students shouting answers and information to Bartholomew as he goes about his journey. What I think is quite wonderful about this book is that although the book is anthropomorphic, the animal information is still factual since it was written by a biologist. Arnim did a beautiful job with the illustrations as well, bringing the animals to life.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review copy - final copy via publisher.

This is an interesting look at a crow with a bit of an identity crisis. He is asking the animals he meets if he is one of them. He wants to know where he belongs.

The illustrations are well done and I think the story made sense, but I think I would have enjoyed it more without the rhyming.

I didn't dislike the book, but didn't find it very compelling. It would likely be interesting enough for young readers who are really interested in the outdoors, but it just didn't click with me.

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book touched me in the way that it reminded me of the Native American creation myths my grandfather used to tell when I was a young child. He'd pull me onto his lap and tell me how the river became a river or why the wind whistles. I am sure that these myths made me the reader I am today. Bartholemew Quill is a beautiful story that will leave children to dream about other fictional connections with Mother Nature. It inspires me to get outside and look for animals like Bartholemew in order to learn their stories, too.

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world is a new and exciting place, unblemished by centuries of use. The creatures inhabiting this world need to find their identity and their place in this new world. All are looking for family—or at least others like themselves. Bartholomew Quill is no different. He flies the skies searching. When Bartholomew finds another animal, he asks,

“Am I one of you?”

Bartholomew knows his feathers and = beak are black. Upon approaching a group of birds with beaks and black bodies he asks,

To Read the Full Review and View Interior Spreads, Go To: http://bit.ly/BartholomewQuill

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I quite "got" this book - the meaning or the moral of the story. But I loved the illustrations and it the story was nice enough - not frightening or really upsetting in any way and will probably soon become a favorite as we love animal books.

We received a FREE copy of this book through goodreads giveaway :)

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 3 out of 5]

ages 3-5

A crow compares himself to all the other birds trying to find out who he is. The rhymes were a bit awkward. I didn't love this one.

http://www.momsradius.com/2016/12/cyb...

[Kim Friant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book!! But I will admit, it lost me between the Raven and crow.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the rhyming aspect of this book. Telling a story in rhyme is becoming a lost art, I feel, and this one is skillfully done. Art work is lovely and lively.

[Donna Mork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent rhyming and interesting "who am I" story.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flows well. Highly recommended for PNW kids ages 3-7.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive rhymes and lovely illustrations. I am amused.

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crow flies around the Pacific Northwest forest and water areas in the beginning of time, trying to figure out who he is. He's not the only one doing this; all of the living things--bears, bees, hares, and trees--are all "learning to tell which was who." Through a series of encounters, crow discovers what he is not: an eagle, a salmon, a raven, and more. Finally, he takes a good look at his reflection in the still water of a lake and then searches for and finds others that look like him. The easy rhyming verse and the gorgeous illustrations (watercolors?) by Dana Armin make this a definite purchase for an elementary library. There are many teaching ideas and resources listed in the back of the book.