Multicultural and International Literature

Crow Boy

By Taro Yashima

Crow Boy by Taro Yashima is a beautiful picturebook about a Japanese village school boy named Chibi. Chibi means “Tiny Boy” in Japanese which is part of the reason Chibi gets made fun of by his classmates. He is strange, small, and shy who is isolated from his friends. He is alone much of the time and his classmates pick on him by calling him names such as “stupid” and “slowpoke.” Chibi is segregated by his peers until a new teacher arrives at his school, Mr. Isobe. Mr. Isobe saw Chibi for the talented and unique student he was; he also saw how his classmates treated him, which he did not agree with. Mr. Isobe encouraged Chibi and believed in him. He even supported him in the school talent show. Chibi’s talent was “voices of crows,” no one could believe how talented he was! When Chibi performed he was excellent and everyone had a new respect for “Crow Boy,” formally Chibi, and felt badly for not being kind o him. I think this would be a great book to use in the classroom especially in the beginning of the school year. Not only does it have beautiful pictures, but it can be used to teach children not to judge others based on their appearance or anything else. Instead, we should embrace new friendships and be kind to fellow classmates by treating them in ways we wish to be treated.