Six Crows

A war of scarecrows begins when a farmer tries to banish six crows from his wheatfield. He creates a horned, menacing figure; the crows fight back by building a giant, ugly bird to hover above the fields like a shadow. The owl intervenes and convinces both sides to talk peace. This moral tale eloquently depicts the pointlessness and futility of the ancient war of fear. As always, Lionni's characteristic primitive art and abstract forms appeal both to the naive perceptions of children and the universal sensitivity of all readers. Ages 3-7. (March)