Spring 2015 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection!

School Library Journal:

"K-Gr 4–Old Crow is content, eager to live his life in peace. But his ragged appearance and raspy call makes him a prime target for the taunting of the other birds living by the edge of the forest. Young Cardinal is the worst. He takes great pride in teasing the old bird and leads others in the abuse. The more Crow protests, the more isolated he becomes. When fall arrives and most of the bird fly South for the winter, Cardinal and Crow remain. Cardinal, with his beautiful red feathers, boldly eats seeds left for him in feeders by well-meaning humans, but wise and experienced Crow warns him to be cautious. Cardinal scoffs at the advice, and Crow knowingly keeps watch from above. One day, a cat appears and puts the young bird in a precarious situation. Will Crow warn his tormentor? This delicately illustrated picture book, inspired by Aesop’s fables, is gorgeously and thoughtfully rendered. Set in autumn, by the edge of the wood, each full-page illustration, painted in soft watercolor, is so well done that children can almost feel the cool, crisp air. The moral of the story, that “pride and foolishness often roost on the same branch,” is imparted artfully in a way that will encourage young readers to think. A first purchase for any picture book collection."
–Amy Shepherd, St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

Book Wars blog:

"This book had me from the description of Crow on the first page: “This crow was very old, older than any of the other birds or animals for many miles around. His call was harsh and coarse and his feathers were long and scraggly. But these things didn’t bother him.// He would have been happy, if only the other birds left him in peace.” Crow is unquestionably an interesting character, yet Moniz makes brash young Cardinal, who with his “brilliant red feathers and a beautiful singing voice” leads the other birds in the mocking song of “ugly old Crow” a dynamic character, too. Crow and Cardinal in text and illustration have distinct and memorable characters. They are more than types, and the subtle layers of background in the illustrations add further to the sense of depth created by the words. This was a pleasure to read."

CM Magazine -  4/4 stars review:

"Michael Moniz is both a picture book author and a commercial artist. In The Cardinal & the Crow, he gives a nod to Aesop to write a brisk, entertaining fable. He launches into the narrative in true storyteller’s style:

Near the edge of a small forest lived a crow, who perched on the limb of a large, twisted tree from dawn to dusk.

This crow was very old, older than any of the other birds or animals for many miles around...

He would have been happy if only the other birds left him in peace.

Crow’s life is spoiled by cheeky Cardinal who has gathered followers because of his bright plumage and “beautiful warbling voice”.

Both Cardinal and Crow stay behind when their avian neighbours migrate. Cardinal continues to taunt Crow because the presence of a bird feeder means his food supply is secure. But Crow is not only older than Cardinal, he is wiser.

Crow, watching rash Cardinal from his perch with a wary eye, decided to give him some advice.

“Be careful when fluttering around that contraption.

You never know what might be hiding somewhere below.”

What is below is a watchful cat which pounces and manages to capture Cardinal in its jaws. Crow saves the other bird using flattery. He throws out compliments, the culmination of which is:

“Would you please, just for me, give a mighty roar?” Crow pleaded.

“Only a great king of beasts, like you, can give such a roar. Let me 
hear and rejoice with you in your victory.”

Of course, Cardinal is able to escape from the cat when it opens its mouth and shows itself chastened by the experience. Crow states the moral of the story:

“...pride and foolishness often roost on the same branch.”

The birds live in harmony thereafter. 

As suits the traditional form of the tale, the text of the story is minimal. Starkly-outlined birds and an animated cat are shown on a hazy background with little detail in it. This focuses the reader’s attention on the interchange between characters. Cardinal’s red feathers provide the only colour on the arresting double spreads. A book for primary school and public libraries.

Highly Recommended."