Crow Smarts: Inside the Brain of the World's Brightest Bird (Scientists in the Field Series)

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From School Library Journal --------------------------- Gr 4–7—This title takes readers to New Caledonia, where, as Turner puts it, "the forests are lush and the crows are geniuses." Comins's photos supply ample evidence of both. Under the guidance of crow researcher Gavin Hunt, expeditions to the island's wilds provide rtunities to watch the local species of crow display the astonishing ability not only to use found sticks to dig grubs from logs but also to make their own hooked tools from twigs or the jagged leaves of the pandanus—and to train a juvenile crow in the technique. Then later, under controlled conditions in a lab, captive crows (which are carefully returned to their home territories afterward) beat out groups of four- to seven-year-old children in performing feats of mental activity to get at an inaccessible treat. The author also surveys tool use by other wild animals, from chimps to crocodiles, and, with added art by de Filippo, compares the structures of crow and human brains. She closes with more anecdotes about corvid intelligence and leads to further information. VERDICT Required reading for anyone who believes that we are the only, or even the most, sapient species on the planet. Highly recommended for STEM and animal collections.—John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York City Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) Review ------ Horn Book Fanfare: Best Books of 2016 Nonfiction Detectives: Best of 2016 Nerdy Book Club Nerdies 2016 Longford Nonfiction * "Turner’s friendly, sometimes joking tone effortlessly moves from amusing accounts of crow antics to sophisticated explanations of crow and human evolution. Comins’s arresting photographs of the sleek black birds in the island landscapes of New Caledonia highlight their personalities and intelligence." —Horn Book, STARRED review * "Required reading for anyone who believes that we are the only, or even the most, sapient species on the planet. Highly recommended for STEM and animal collections." —School Library Journal, STARRED review "...[Crow Smarts] also pulls together a wide variety of research on crow behaviors and weaves it seamlessly into the narrative. Detailed sidebars and lively photographs of shiny, bright-eyed crows break up the text while adding interest, and illustrated explanations of crow behavior are illuminating." —Bulletin "With an approachable writing style and photos of crows festooning almost every page, this engaging volume with attract budding scientists, and the lively descriptions not only of the crows but of the scientists at work will give students plenty to ponder." —Booklist Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) See all Editorial Reviews ( /dp/product-description/0544416198/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&isInIframe=0 )