The little crow joins her elders in looking down to warn about any possible enemies. The birds encounter increasingly larger creatures, frightening them off with their squawking. But the little crow has a new idea: What if, instead of looking down, the crows looked up?

While the moral isn’t particularly original, Robert Tregoning and Greg Stobbs do a lovely job with this rhyming picture book with the perfect accompanying illustrations.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Flyaway Books in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reading copy.

What The Crow Saw Below by Robert Tregoning is a triumphant picturebook. The text flows lyrically throughout the story, and the illustrations are done wonderfully, showcasing a nature-focused art sense that uses natural colors. The formal elements of the book work well with the textual elements, resulting in a picturebook that is both fun for readers, and accomplished critically.

Gorgeous illustrations highlight this tale of caution and bravery.

It seems that all the crows do is sit in a tree looking down, watching and worrying about all that is happening below. One young bird wonders what might happen if they looked UP for a change. It's amazing the things that can see when you dare to try something new.

This could serve as a great reminder to get away from your screens, and get out and experience the world.

A beautiful story, and a lovely book.

Absolutely STUNNING and unique illustrations! Almost haunting in style, but it's not at all scary. The prose has a nice rhyme and rhythm to it too. Great book to teach kiddos about getting over their fears.

An absolutely gorgeously illustrated picture book with gentle rhymes and a strong message about a young crow "swapping her fear for bravery, hopefulness, and love." I thought the illustrations had a very original style and I loved the contrast in colors and brightness from the world below the tree canopy in the forest to the world of the brighter skies above. Beautifully done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had received an email that stated fun things to do with this book and students. So instead of reinventing the wheel, I thought I would request this book and use for my students. I found that I could use this book with many age groups. It has rhyming, comprehension, syllables, articulation, prediction and question asking and answering. Since I work with many age groups, this was perfect. The illustrations were beautiful and we could talk basic concepts---which way are the crows looking....
I will definitely purchase this book to use again next year.

An adorable picture book about getting over one’s fears.

This beautifully illustrated book about a little crow comes with important values to learn and how a little curiosity can always be of help!

I can highly recommend this to parents. Especially now during fall the illustrations and theme of the book have the perfect atmosphere!

5.0/5.0 ⭐️

A beautiful story about a young crow who begins questioning how and why things have always been done in her family when her elders expect her to join in shooing away everything that approaches the tree out of caw-caution.

The artistic quality is amazing. The illustrations are beautifully done in a unique style that is captivating, filled with many small details.

Perfect for preschool and early elementary readers, with nothing scary for younger toddlers. The storyline conveys a cohesive message and ends with the little crow showing her family what she has discovered, highlighting that some caw-caution is always needed.

Thank you to Flyaway Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Rarely does rhyme read in a picture book as smooth and neat, but it certainly does here. The artwork takes the reader into the crows' world, and the final message of the book - that "it's important not to let our worries keep us trapped" - will encourage readers of all ages.

“What the Crow Saw Below” is a sweet story about a curious crow who begins to wonder why her elders always look down and never up. The other crows don’t want to hear about it. What could be up there? The danger is below! "Caw caw, be cautious!" A tale of a little crow who questions the way things have always been and seeks her own answers. The story is beautifully illustrated, especially the scenes featuring the gorgeous blue sky.

This is a beautifully illustrated, rhyming story about a little crow who challenges the view that the other crows have, of the world being scary and full of risk. He takes a chance and helps others to see the world in a different way. This will be a lovely addition to our school library and, in particular, to our collection of bird-themed books for when we study birds and their adaptations in Year 6 science.

Little Crow is tired of cawing “caution” down below. She wants to see above her tree, will she do it?

I loved this rhyming story of a group of crows observing the world below their tree. The artwork was fun, the rhymes where incredibly smooth and kept the same style through the book, and you receive a clear moral at the end of the story: Life can have challenges and need some caution, but it shouldn’t stop you from living with bravery and hopefulness.

I will absolutely be buying this book to add to my little one’s collection when it is out.

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

What the Crow Saw Below is a children's picture book about a young Crow who questions why all the Crows do is keep watch below for dangers. When the Crow stays awake during nap time and watches around below, they realise that the things the Crows deem as dangers are actually no threat to them at all : A puppy looking for its list ball, a human planting saplings, a fox looking for nuts. The Crow decides to fly above the tree and see what is above as all they do is spend their time watching below. When the other Crows awake they are shown the wonders that the young Crow has found and they realise that they can't just spend their lives worrying about what could happen and missing out on the beauty around them.
This was such a beautiful story with a beautiful message. I love Crows, so it was lovely to have a children's book to read about them.

What a lovely story, really got me thinking about my Life, the choises I've made and the future.
Easy to read rhymes and wonderful illustrations. I need this book in my shelf …

My toddler and I spend many of our lunch times observing the crows out our kitchen window. And this book delighted him to read because it gave a wonderful story to how silly they can be. I loved the message in this story about not looking for trouble, but exploring the world and embracing wonder. Plus the illustrations tell a story of their own and the cadence of the book passed my enjoyable to read aloud test!

What The Crow Saw Below encourages its readers to look beyond their own worlds to discover what lies beyond. Crows sit within the branches of their tree, warning each other about what lies far below. Crows call out "Danger! Caw, caw, caw!" with every sound from below. Rustle, rustle, "Caw, caution, one and all!" As the squirrel moves about, the crows know that it is seeking harm. Snuffle, snuffle, "Caw, caution, all around!" We are being attacked by a puppy who wants to harm us. With every sound the crows utter, "caution.". Some time later, when the other crows are sleeping, the young crow decides to explore on its own. Her curiosity leads her to want to see what's above. A beautiful sunny, blue sky with plenty of birds flying around greets the young crow. I need to share what I have learned with the other crows. Do you know how the other crows reacted?

Children will learn several valuable lessons from this book. This book is full of beautiful, colorful illustrations.

I thought that this book was excellent!

I always loved nature as a child and used to go birdwatching with my dad, and I now take my daughter out when I can. I loved the way that the book was written, it was great and worked so well with the story - the book rhymes and that made it a fun read.

I loved the character of the little Crow and how he managed to get the whole flock (or murder as it is for Crows) to change their views (literally) - it was all really well done.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

What The Crow Saw Below is an absolute delight. While all the elder crows are crying, "caw, caw, caution," it's the little one, with fresh new eyes, who turns his attention to the world beyond. He takes a fearless chance on the scary world and learns that what might look scary at first may be something wonderful instead! A happy little reminder to our littles to be bold and brave and to us grown ups to listen to their little voices. I want to see the world through their brave little eyes!

One crow questions why the crows are always looking down in this poetic book about reframing your perspective and trying new things. A good book about positive thinking and the joy of discovering new things.

This adorable parable is about a crow who lives with other crows who are always looking around and seeing things as dangerous and scary, but this little crow sees hopefulness and happiness. The modern artwork adds to the lively feel of the story and the strong message comes through loud and clear.