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Counting Crows
Help hungry crows avoid a feline foe in this clever concept book from the author of The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp and The Underneath .
One, two, three, crows in a tree, bedecked in red scarves and hungry as can be. So they fly out of their nest with snacking in mind, and snack they do. Snack one, snack two, snack three—all the way to a dozen! But before they have time to complain about bellyaches, they have a bigger a cat has been eyeing them…as potential snacks! Can these well-fed crows become well-FLED crows? Read and find out in this counting book from Newbery Finalist and two-time National Book Award Nominee Kathi Appelt, with spot-on illustrations from Rob Dunlavey. It’s the cat’s meow!
One, two, three, crows in a tree, bedecked in red scarves and hungry as can be. So they fly out of their nest with snacking in mind, and snack they do. Snack one, snack two, snack three—all the way to a dozen! But before they have time to complain about bellyaches, they have a bigger a cat has been eyeing them…as potential snacks! Can these well-fed crows become well-FLED crows? Read and find out in this counting book from Newbery Finalist and two-time National Book Award Nominee Kathi Appelt, with spot-on illustrations from Rob Dunlavey. It’s the cat’s meow!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2015
156 people want to read
About the author
Kathi Appelt
53Ìýbooks545ÌýfollowersLives in College Station, TX with husband Ken and four adorable cats.
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
June 15, 2025
Oh! A new book by Appelt! With crows!! :grab: Start reading, start grinning. start reading 'aloud under breath' and grin bigger. Oh my. So fun. Plot, rhythm, rhyme, intriguing art style, and the count goes up to 12 (not just 10). Yep, it's another winner from Appelt!
.......
Reread. Wait, what? Picked up again, not remembering it, didn't read my previous review. This time I'm not particularly liking it. Thinking it might be a rollicking read-aloud but also thinking that the crows would be more likely to mob the cat instead of flee from it, and wishing each had a bit of personality (or that there were more than 12 of them).
Rating reflects average impression.
.......
Reread. Wait, what? Picked up again, not remembering it, didn't read my previous review. This time I'm not particularly liking it. Thinking it might be a rollicking read-aloud but also thinking that the crows would be more likely to mob the cat instead of flee from it, and wishing each had a bit of personality (or that there were more than 12 of them).
Rating reflects average impression.
March 9, 2015
Me while reading this book: Ants aren't spicy. Wait. How do I know? I've never eaten an ant. I bet fire ants are spicy. Are ants spicy? Yeppers! Ha! I like that word, yeppers!
May 6, 2015
Just when you think all the books that reinforce kids counting skills have been written in every conceivable way possible, along comes Kathi Appelt and proves you wrong. Counting Crows does presume that young readers have learned to count at least up to 12 and are ready to have some fun with numbers 1-12.
Here we find twelve crows, all wearing bright red and white striped sweaters and, because there's one fashion rebel in every crowd, one crow accentuates his with a red polka-dot scarf. The twelve black crows frolic across the pages, playing with each other, hanging from trees, sitting on telephone lines, and looking for something to eat, all of it accompanied by humorous rhyming couplets and quatrains in an ABCB rhyme scheme.
Of course, the crows may be the hunt for a tasty lunch, but they aren't the only ones:
Twelve crows hop,
twelve crows sing,
twelve on a park bench,
wing by wing.
Twelve chewy chips
twelve slimy snails�
One cat counts
twelve crows' twelve tails!
The brief appearance of a calculating gray kitty wearing a red polka-dot scarf will surely get kids counting crows in the end, but they can also count each thing the crows find to eat, and, as kids will discover, they will eat ANYTHING. For instance, if you look closely at the image below, you will be able to count nine spicy ants, and nine round crackers. But be warned, as the numbers go up, it get more and more difficult find their tasty(?) treats. So the book not only is fun with counting but also helps builds observation skills.
I loved the illustrations done in marker, pencil and watercolor. The vivid black crows in bold red sweaters are placed against a bright white background while the other features, like the telephone line, the bench, the edible tidbits are all done with light pencil lines (making them harder to find while seeking and counting them).
This is a fun book that will definitely delight young readers, especially those who are comfortable with their numbers already.
Kids can find some fun Counting Crows activities
This book is recommended for readers age 3+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally posted on
Here we find twelve crows, all wearing bright red and white striped sweaters and, because there's one fashion rebel in every crowd, one crow accentuates his with a red polka-dot scarf. The twelve black crows frolic across the pages, playing with each other, hanging from trees, sitting on telephone lines, and looking for something to eat, all of it accompanied by humorous rhyming couplets and quatrains in an ABCB rhyme scheme.
Of course, the crows may be the hunt for a tasty lunch, but they aren't the only ones:
Twelve crows hop,
twelve crows sing,
twelve on a park bench,
wing by wing.
Twelve chewy chips
twelve slimy snails�
One cat counts
twelve crows' twelve tails!
The brief appearance of a calculating gray kitty wearing a red polka-dot scarf will surely get kids counting crows in the end, but they can also count each thing the crows find to eat, and, as kids will discover, they will eat ANYTHING. For instance, if you look closely at the image below, you will be able to count nine spicy ants, and nine round crackers. But be warned, as the numbers go up, it get more and more difficult find their tasty(?) treats. So the book not only is fun with counting but also helps builds observation skills.
I loved the illustrations done in marker, pencil and watercolor. The vivid black crows in bold red sweaters are placed against a bright white background while the other features, like the telephone line, the bench, the edible tidbits are all done with light pencil lines (making them harder to find while seeking and counting them).
This is a fun book that will definitely delight young readers, especially those who are comfortable with their numbers already.
Kids can find some fun Counting Crows activities
This book is recommended for readers age 3+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally posted on
August 28, 2016
I don't get it. Weird.
August 28, 2023
A fun counting book that moves along at first in multiples of three and goes to twelve, so that’s different.
Just cute and different with some fun words, yeppers 🙂
Just cute and different with some fun words, yeppers 🙂
March 19, 2015
This is not a counting book. A counting book should not confuse the reader. Yes, you can count the crows, the stripes on the sweaters and even the polka dots. However, for those like me who think mathematically, this book gives me a seizure. I find myself counting the lines on the tree. Why do some crows have four tail feathers and others have three? Where are the actual numerals - if this really is a counting book!!! Although I like the red, white and black lines, please just read this for pleasure and NOT AS A COUNTING BOOK!!!
March 6, 2015
Oh how I enjoy reading this book aloud. You can't read this book, you almost have to sing it, as the words (lyrics) have a rhythm all their own. Twelve crows, whimsically drawn by Rob Dunlavey in red and white striped sweaters, count and caw their way through the book until a cat shows up.
January 17, 2019
I really this "unconventional" counting book; the rhythms of the spoken word were super neat! The illustrations are super cute; I liked the juxtaposition of the crows being very basic, while their world was rather detailed.
November 10, 2017
The crows in this book are amusing.
Good counting book for preschoolers and young elementary students who are working on counting by threes.
Kids voted to give 4 stars.
Good counting book for preschoolers and young elementary students who are working on counting by threes.
Kids voted to give 4 stars.
April 9, 2015
This playful picture book comes from the author of The Underneath and other novels for older children. This counting book does not move from one to twelve, but instead starts at three and allows a merry amount of counting along the way. Throughout the action is led by the crows who climb around on trees, sit on lines and find all sorts of treats to eat, including spicy ants. The story moves forward with counting until there are twelve crows who then discover one cat!
Appelt proves that she can be a very successful writer for any age of child with her first picture book. Her rhyme reads aloud so well that it’s impossible to read it silently to yourself. It has a great rhythm and buoyancy to it, giving the book a really dynamic energy and feel. I also enjoy a book that has counting in it, but isn’t solely a counting book. This one tells a full story in a cheery way and allows you to share it either as a story book or a concept book.
The illustrations truly make the book unique. Using light drawings with touches of red, the book pops. Readers may notice the one scarf-wearing crow who appears in each scene and then they can see what happens to the scarf after the cat appears. It’s a nice touch that may have some readers turning back to trace the scarf from the beginning of the book.
Bouncy, rhyming, fun and jaunty, this picture book has its own unique tone and feel that readers will appreciate. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Appelt proves that she can be a very successful writer for any age of child with her first picture book. Her rhyme reads aloud so well that it’s impossible to read it silently to yourself. It has a great rhythm and buoyancy to it, giving the book a really dynamic energy and feel. I also enjoy a book that has counting in it, but isn’t solely a counting book. This one tells a full story in a cheery way and allows you to share it either as a story book or a concept book.
The illustrations truly make the book unique. Using light drawings with touches of red, the book pops. Readers may notice the one scarf-wearing crow who appears in each scene and then they can see what happens to the scarf after the cat appears. It’s a nice touch that may have some readers turning back to trace the scarf from the beginning of the book.
Bouncy, rhyming, fun and jaunty, this picture book has its own unique tone and feel that readers will appreciate. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
April 14, 2018
I love Kathi Appelt’s middle grades works and was excited to receive a copy of her beautiful counting picture book at the 2018 Texas Library Association’s annual conference. Toddlers through 6 year olds and their caregivers will enjoy reading and counting their way through the fabulous Rob Dunlavey artwork. Besides being a little more challenging than the usual count-to-10 children’s book, this one will also provide a myriad of conversation starters about animals, their habitats and the crazy behaviors of the featured crows. Highly recommended for all who read to the targeted age group...And since my libraries are for older students, I get to keep my copy for my coming grandchildren!
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April 24, 2015The counting and rhyming text make for a fun rhythmic read that easily lends itself to singing. It also breaks down sounds in words making it easier to sound out words for children. The lovely black and white with touches of red illustrations are expressive and funny. These are crows I want to hang out with and so will kids!
February 26, 2015
What is black and white and red (read) all over and over and over?
I love the contrast of the red on the pages to make the crows and then the cat pop.
The rhyme moves swiftly.
I see this as a Seuss award contender....
I love the contrast of the red on the pages to make the crows and then the cat pop.
The rhyme moves swiftly.
I see this as a Seuss award contender....
February 24, 2015
Simple, sweet, great rhymes and great illustrations.
April 12, 2015
Nothing about this book is anything I will remember a few hours from now
March 3, 2015
Brilliant red, white and black illustrations coupled with perfect counting rhymes. Perfect for storytimes!
June 2, 2015
W+
I+
Has some rhyme
I+
Has some rhyme
September 18, 2018
Counting Crows, by Kathi Appelt, is a rather whacky take on a traditional counting book. The story takes children into the world of crazy crows through rhyming couplets that are brimming with onamotapoeia and alliteration. As should be expected, numbers are a constant presence throughout the book and everything is counted, from the crows themselves to the snacks they are collecting. The eccentric black and white illustrations -- accented only by the bright red striped sweaters and spotted scarves that the crows sport -- somehow seem perfectly suited for this out of the box picture book. Nothing -- and I mean NOTHING-- about this book isn't just a little bit funky, right down to the cover of the book where the birds' sweaters are unexpectedly fuzzy and soft to the touch! This book is ideal for introducing pre-K students to numbers and counting, but could even be fun to read at the beginning of the year in a Kindergarten class. Children will have a blast counting their way through the unique pages of this book!
February 4, 2017
Counting Crows, by Kathi Appelt is an incredibly entertaining counting book. Appelt uses a variety of rhymes and crows to draw children in and encourages the reader to count along with the crows. I loved how fun the illustrations are and how we follow the crows in whatever they do, like hanging from trees, or singing at the bottom of the page, or counting ants and nuts. This is a great book to reinforce children to count along. With each page and each crow being so different, there is no way for a child to be bored and give up halfway through the book. I am thoroughly impressed by Appelt’s use of creativity to make another counting book not just another counting book.
July 18, 2017
Applet, K. (2015). Counting Crows. New York: Atheneum Books For Young Readers.
Category: Math informational
A dozen crows explore the world around them in this mathematical reading book. They count items that they find on their journey like potato chips, snails and crickets. Applet does an excellent job of implementing mathematics with reading with simple illustrations and funny facial expressions from the crows on every page. I would recommend this book to a lower elementary student, especially if they need assistance in math. This book can help make math fun and interesting for students by counting chips, peppers, sticks and even the crows themselves through out the book.
Category: Math informational
A dozen crows explore the world around them in this mathematical reading book. They count items that they find on their journey like potato chips, snails and crickets. Applet does an excellent job of implementing mathematics with reading with simple illustrations and funny facial expressions from the crows on every page. I would recommend this book to a lower elementary student, especially if they need assistance in math. This book can help make math fun and interesting for students by counting chips, peppers, sticks and even the crows themselves through out the book.
January 29, 2019
Counting Crows by Kathi Appelt is such a cute counting book for kids. I would definitely keep this in my classroom one day for my younger students. You could read this book first and then pair math activities to go along with it because children love to see story books come to life. This book kind of has a singsongy tune to it which I like because kids can easily catch on and say it with you. In the end all 12 crows are able to fly and escape the kitty's paw. I gave this book a 4/5 stars because it was a fun, creative twist on a counting book instead of literally just showing numbers and then having that number of items out to the side; this one actually had a story to go along with it.
December 30, 2021
Several crows are seen in their natural habitat as the readers count them, then after a startle, they all fly away.
I liked the differences in this. The first several groups of crows are counted by threes until the reader gets to 9, then they are added singly until 12. After which, they all fly away and the reader counts 1-12. The cat is a fun touch; it isn't meant to be a Tom & Jerry thing, or a National Geographic, this is a lazy kitty that let's its presence be known to get a reaction (think like somebody saying "Boo!"). Creative idea, fun story, engaging pictures, I like it!
No content issues.
February 3, 2019
Counting Crows is about a flock of crows that become hungry while they are sitting in a tree. So they venture out from the tree to try and find some snacks but they soon realize that they are being watched by a cat that would like to make them a snack! I choose this book because the cover! The crows on the outside are kind of funny looking. They have huge beaks with bright red stripe sweaters on and I figured if I thought they were funny looking a preschooler would as well and they might enjoy what’s on the inside of the book. This is a picture book.
June 5, 2023
As far as the "story" goes . . . well, it's a counting book - there really is none. The rhymes occasionally seem a little forced. (Mangoes matched with by jango?) BUT, there's something about those simple yet bold illustrations that tickled my fancy.
October 22, 2019
This is a counting book that starts at three and ends with twelve. Lots of small things to count. Not obvious items, not all things you would find crows eating but I read this once and thought okay but I happen to like it better each time I read it. I know that Kathi usually writes for older children but this is a good picture book. I will use it with my preschoolers.
December 24, 2019
Very cute crows. Taken by themselves, the text and the illustrations are fine, but there isn't much interplay between the two. They're even in conflict at times, like when the text mentions "bright berries" and the berries in the illustration are done in dull grey pencil.
Loses a point for using grackle as a nonsense word and not as the bird in a bird-centric book.
Loses a point for using grackle as a nonsense word and not as the bird in a bird-centric book.
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September 21, 2021Counting Crows is a great resource for beginner counters. The pages are white with very little color which allows for more attention to show how many crows are on the page. The way the words are organized in this book are also perfect for young readers. Instead of words going straight across, the words "fly" with the crows across the page.
November 2, 2017
Love the illustrations of this title and this isn't a straight forward book to assist with counting as the opening pages count by 1, 2, 3. None the less children will learn some counting from this title.
June 9, 2018
A nice simple story with counting, rhyme, and a little bit of humor. I loved the black and white drawings by Rob Dunlavey with the bright red touches of red throughout. The cat at the end had me laugh out loud because this is what I see my cat do outside; terrorize the poor birds, lol!
June 23, 2018
I picked this up from my local bookstore for my kid’s second birthday. My wife said that she really liked the book. I like that it initially counts by threes until nine, and then helps the reader progress to twelve by ones after nine.
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