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Lila and the Crow

Lila and the Crow

By Gabrielle Grimard
Categories: Children's Fiction
Themes: self-esteem & self-reliance, prejudice & racism, emotions & feelings
Interest Age: 4–7
Grade: 1–4
Reading Level: Common Core Correlations
CCSS.ELA-Literacy Strand-Reading literature: L.2.3,4,4a,5,5a,5b,6
W.2.1,2,3,5,6,7,8
SL.2.1,1a,1b,1c,2,3,4,6
RF.2.3,4,4a,4c
RL.2.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10

Reading Level: Lexile AD610L
Hardcover : 9781554518586, 32 pages, October 2016 , 9.0" x 9.0"
Paperback (Picture book) : 9781554518579, 32 pages, March 2018 , 9.0" x 9.0"
Rights sold: French, English

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Description

Lila is bullied because of her dark skin, but the crows have a solution for that!

Lila has just moved to a new town and can't wait to make friends at school. But on the first day, a boy points at her and shouts: "A crow! A crow! The new girl's hair is black like a crow!" The others whisper and laugh, and Lila's heart grows as heavy as a stone.

The next day, Lila covers her hair. But this time, the boy points at her dark skin. When she covers her face, he mocks her dark eyes. Now every day at school, Lila hides under her turtleneck, dark glasses, and hat. And every day when she goes home, she sees a crow who seems to want to tell her something. Lila ignores the bird and even throws rocks at it, but it won't go away. 
Meanwhile, the great autumn festival is approaching. While the other kids prepare their costumes, Lila is sadder and lonelier than ever. At her lowest point of despair, a magical encounter with the crow opens Lila's eyes to the beauty of being different, and gives her the courage to proudly embrace her true self.

Awards

  • Joint winner, The Year’s Best List, Resource Links 2017
  • Joint winner, Toronto Public Library’s First & Best List 2016
  • Joint winner, Skipping Stones Honor Book 2017
  • Joint winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre 2017

Reviews

“A painful story of exclusion and bullying, tinged with magic.” 

- Publishers Weekly, 12/01/16

“The mixed-media paintings are emotive and appealing.”

- School Library Journal

“Lila is a meaningful example of a girl who finds strength in her differences.”

- Quill & Quire

“One of the most beautifully illustrated children’s books I’ve ever seen. The landscapes and scenes are full of a sense of place and Lila’s emotions are easy to feel through the illustrations.”

- The Metropolitan Field Guide, 05/26/17

“An engaging narrative.” 

- CM Reviews, 03/17/17

“The images created in watercolor by Gabrielle Grimard are perfectly in keeping with the story told.” 

- Sal’s Fiction Addiction, 03/17/17

“A very powerful story to share with children who are learning to accept themselves and others.”

- Resource Links, 02/01/17