Crow, sitting on his telephone wire, repeatedly turns down various animals who approach him wanting to play with a loud “KAW!” Having successfully chased off Squirrel, Hummingbird, Rat, Bat, and even Cat, Crow hears a “RING-RING RING-RING” behind him. Answering the phone attached to the telephone pole, he assures whoever’s on the other end that he has “cleared the area.” “Good,” the voice replies. “It’s time. And we don’t have a moment to spare!” Crow leaps into action, getting on an elevator concealed within the pole and descending to a small complex of rooms. He dons a spacesuit and fires up a rocket that bursts out of the top of the pole and into space, where a giant asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. Crow employs missiles and lasers, blasting the asteroid into tiny bits, before returning home. Soon, the same animals again approach, this time with invitations from Crow. They line up together and wait. It’s getting dark. Then—“Wow!” “Shooting stars!” “Purrfect.” “And Crow? Crow says nothing. But what’s that? Is Crow smiling? Nah, it couldn’t be.” Crow’s heroic mission comes as a delightful plot twist at a point when his story appears headed towards a didactic message about manners. A comic style and page layout culminate in a cinematic close-up of Crow as he breaks the fourth wall with a cheeky wink at the reader.

Kirkus Best Book • School Library Journal Best Book • Chicago Public Library Best Book • Children's Book Review Best Book • ALA Notable Book • A CCBC Choice • Kids Favorite Winner

“Storytelling at its most brilliant—and whimsical.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Everything is on the line for crabby, cranky Crow. But why, exactly, is Crow so moody? The reason will delight readers in three-time Geisel Medal and Caldecott Honor winner Corey R. Tabor’s funny and surprising twist on friendship, science, and saving the world.

Cranky, crabby Crow does not want to play with Squirrel or do loop-de-loops with Hummingbird. He doesn’t have time for Rat or Bat. From high atop a telephone pole, Cat warns Crow that he will soon be all alone if he turns his friends away with his very cranky “kaw!” one more time. But, unbeknownst to all, Crow has bigger, world-saving fish to fry—he must protect planet Earth from an asteroid headed our way!

With playful illustrations and a classic “Tabor twist,” Cranky, Crabby Crow is an excellent choice for readers who love Mo Willems and Jon Klassen. Kirkus Reviews calls Corey R. Tabor “a master of the early reader” with good reason, and here he once again proves himself an innovative and unforgettable storyteller. Cranky, Crabby Crow explores perennial, age-appropriate social and emotional themes through Corey R. Tabor’s signature subtlety and silliness. Includes a secret code.