Mo and Crow
By Jo Kasch
Illustrated by Jonathan Bentley
Reviewed by Barbara Braxton
Mo lives in a little house high on a hill, protected by a thick stone wall that is stronger than both the wind and the rain. It keep out everything that Mo wants kept out and that is exactly how he wanted it. The outside world was not welcome in Mo’s world.
But one day he hears a tap-tap-tap on his wall and even though he whistles loudly and pulls hit hat down over his ears, the noise continued. Tappity-tappity-tappity-
On the surface this is a charming story about a man and a bird each determined to get their own way, but for the more astute reader it is also an allegory for the walls we each build around ourselves to protect our innermost personal thoughts and feelings. While one might speculate on what has happened to Mo to make him choose to live in such isolation, we might also reflect on those things that we, as individuals, hold deep and refuse to share. Is there any truth in the old adage, “A problem shared is a problem halved”?
Bentley’s bold illustrations bring to life this clever story about breaking down barriers and discovering the joys that a strong friendship can bring.
