ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

Crow's always been happy in his forest home. That is, until he encounters Dove, whose beauty and cooing voice fill him with self-doubt ("Her bright feathers make mine seem so dull, and who would want to listen to my loud caw caw'?"). "You must be the happiest bird alive," he says. But Dove replies, "I thought I was happy . . . until I heard Nightingale sing." From Nightingale to Rooster, Crow learns each envies another, including Swan, who feels he pales against Peacock's feathers that "sparkle like jewels." Crow then finds Peacock, surrounded by awed onlookers, but he's unhappy to be caged and on display. Hearing Peacock's story, Crow gains new perspective about himself and what happiness means. Bright, somewhat abstract, collage-like illustrations composed of simple shapes depict the stylized, expressive birds in luminously layered, vibrant hues. With its lively text and lovely art, this version of the classic tale couches a positive message about not making assumptions and appreciating who you are in an eye-catching package perfect for group storytimes.

Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

In this (unattributed) fable, Crow feels perfectly content with his life until he encounters a cooing dove in her nest. "Her bright feathers make mine seem so dull, and who would want to listen to my loud 'caw caw'?" He flies up to compliment her, saying she must be the happiest bird in the world, but it turns out Dove feels that Nightingale, with her more beautiful song, is truly the happiest bird. Bright splashes of color create a lush backdrop as Crow travels from bird to bird seeking the epitome of happiness. Nightingale looks to Rooster, who looks to Swan, who looks to glorious Peacock, at whom everyone seems to be looking. The image of starstruck Crow finally meeting Peacock, whose ornate feathers burst through the bars of the small cage in which the emperor keeps her, creates a thoughtful juxtaposition. When Peacock says, "Every day I see crows flying free -- and all I want to be is a crow," Crow begins to develop a new understanding of happiness and, equally important, how one can extend it to others. The bold, attractive art pairs well with this thought-provoking story. Julie Roach

Kirkus Reviews

A crow sees the error of his ways and is reminded what true happiness is in this contemporary fable.Crow lives a life of contentment until he spots a dove high up in a tree. While admiring her beauty and lovely cooing, his self-esteem plummets. He suddenly dislikes his "dull" feathers and loud cawing. "You must be the happiest bird alive," he tells Dove. But he's surprised to learn that she envies Nightingale's singing, which "makes my cooing sound plain." Crow seeks Nightingale to confirm that it is the happiest bird in the world, but Nightingale is jealous of Rooster's life. And so it goes as Crow visits Rooster, Swan, and Peacock-discovering along the way that each is jealous of another bird's attributes. The textured, full-bleed illustrations offer plenty of visual variety with a pleasing palette that is filled with bright colors, including sunny yellows, pinks, and lavenders; spring greens; and warm shades of blue. All of this boosts the story's cheery subtext. (At one point, the sun is depicted with a smiling face, and the peacock is imagined sitting in a circle of literal jewels to which his feathers are compared in the text.) When the caged Peacock reveals he envies the freedom enjoyed by crows, Crow once again feels content. Readers may even be prompted to ponder their own special traits.A bright affirmation of self-love and a potent reminder that comparison is the thief of joy. (Picture book. 4-9)