Title: A Gang of Ravens Came to Lunch
Authors: J. Norman Grim & Carole Grim
Illustrator: Miki Harder
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-7283-4050-0
Pages: 24
Genre: Children’s Book with Illustrations/ Animals / Birds
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
How much fun and creative can a book be? Authors J. Norman and Carole Grim bring readers into the personified world of a beautiful black raven named Hops Sideways, and what’s more, the book in written mostly through the Point-of-View of the bird, giving readers a bird-brain’s view of the world.
A flock of ravens is referred to as a “gang” as their behavior seems to make good use of that definition. In A Gang of Ravens Came to Lunch, the story begins as Hops
Sideways in hanging upside-down on a tree branch, and upon righting himself he drops a nut which he had been holding onto, which in turn gets quickly swooped up by a squirrel, and well, the action begins from there. As each of the slap-stick comedic events progress, this narrative weaves through many themes of fast-paced action, life- threatening moments of sheer terror, to successes in achieving goals, all with the interlacing of humor and kindness. This makes for an enjoyable adventure story as readers follow Hops Sideways, along with the rest of his gang, throughout the morning’s exploits.
As A Gang of Ravens Came to Lunch is more text than illustrations, I feel this book would appeal to older youngsters who are beginning to read for themselves, offering the clear text interspersed with new vocabulary words which educate about the quirks and customs of the ravens, while of course entertaining them with the adventure story. There are some rhyming sentences of poetic prose injected at times of heightened humor, which will bring out a giggle or laugh in children. The use of oniomania helps animate the children’s novel with a mental soundtrack, while also the voices and sounds of ravens talking to each other teach readers how to “speak raven.” The occasional bold text and italics help bring emphasis to the story in a very well-thought-out way, just the right touch to accentuate some key points. The illustrations are the perfect addition to add the visual story-board layout to mentally create the depth to this book’s imagery.
All in all, A Gang of Ravens Came to Lunch has the classic elements to achieve a highly enjoyable and memorable book for children – and the parents who may be reading to book to them. Birds are amazing, and all will come away knowing much more about these creatures who share our world – and sometimes even our lunch!
